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Yorba Linda police report rise in auto thefts and step up enforcement of illegal e‑bikes
Summary
Captain Diana Wigginton told the council that auto thefts rose and deputies logged 123 arrests in Nov–Dec; she said the new e‑bike ordinance has helped, with roughly 20–25 modified illegal e‑bikes impounded and continued emphasis on parental education and non‑pursuit enforcement.
Captain Diana Wigginton updated the Yorba Linda City Council on local crime trends and enforcement during the council’s January meeting. She said unofficial National Incident‑Based Reporting System (NIBRS) numbers showed an increase in auto thefts and that deputies recorded 123 arrests in November and December, including 34 felonies.
Wigginton said priority‑1 response times averaged “just under 4 minutes, 4 and a half minutes” after adjusting for dispatching and overlapping calls. ‘‘We have our auto theft team working very diligently on that,’’ she said.
The captain described enforcement under the city’s e‑bike ordinance as an important new tool. ‘‘We have impounded in the 20 to 25 range,’’ she said of modified illegal motorcycles and e‑bikes that do not meet legal requirements. She added the department maintains a policy against high‑speed pursuits in many cases and is using other tactics, including targeted enforcement and community education.
Council members thanked deputies for fast response times and for public outreach; Councilwoman Lim said residents appreciated ‘‘impeccable’’ response over the holidays. In public comment, Richard de Bruin urged additional measures such as licensing, reflectors and mandatory safety education for higher‑powered e‑bikes, and the council acknowledged those concerns as part of ongoing discussion.
The captain closed by urging residents to lock vehicles and avoid leaving valuables inside, noting that some thefts were tied to holiday shopping and unsecured property.
