The State Auditor’s report on page 25 highlights El Cerrito’s distinction of having the largest police staff per capita in the region, and potentially in California. Despite this, having more police officers doesn’t automatically translate to increased safety. El Cerrito faces the dual challenge of rising staffing costs and an escalating crime rate.
El Cerrito’s crime rate is alarmingly high, at 44 incidents per thousand residents, making it one of the most crime-ridden communities in the community, irrespective of size. The likelihood of experiencing violent or property crime in El Cerrito is 1 in 23, a stark contrast to national averages.
In comparison, Hercules, California, shares a similar size and population with El Cerrito but showcases significantly lower crime rates. Hercules has roughly 60% the police staff of El Cerrito, yet the probability of falling victim to violent crime is just 1 in 900, and property crime 1 in 92. Hercules’s violent crime rate stands at 10.8, well below the U.S. average of 22.7, and its property crime rate is 22.5, compared to the national 35.4. These figures position Hercules as a comparatively safer location within Contra Costa County.
Don’t let the city intimidate you by implying that a rise in crime is due to lower staff numbers. The data does not substantiate this commonly asserted belief.
El Cerrito maintains a ratio of 1.45 officers and civilian staff for every 1,000 residents. In contrast, Hercules has 0.89 officers and civilian staff per 1,000 residents, deviating from the national average and maintaining a much lower crime rate than El Cerrito.
Furthermore, the Police Officers Standard and Training (POST) suggests that crime rates are significantly impacted by the effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing efforts. Strong, collaborative relationships between law enforcement agencies and communities act as a deterrent to crime, thereby enhancing safety. The success of law enforcement is not solely dependent on staffing numbers; it also hinges on the implementation of community policing strategies. These strategies focus on building trust and cooperation between officers and the community, underlining that it’s the quality of interaction with the community, rather than the sheer number of personnel.
A key factor distinguishing El Cerrito’s approach from more successful policing models is its hesitation to embrace the principles of 21st Century Policing. This modern policing philosophy emphasizes treating all individuals, whether they are crime victims or suspects, with dignity and respect. It involves harnessing empathy and compassion, ensuring everyone is addressed with courtesy and grace, even in situations where physical force is necessary.
Furthermore, a police department aligned with 21st Century principles is committed to transparency, regularly disclosing crime statistics that highlight issues related to race and gender within the community.
The Six Pillars of 21st Century Policing are:
- Pillar One: Building Trust and Legitimacy
- Pillar Two: Policy and Oversight
- Pillar Three: Technology & Social Media
- Pillar Four: Community Policing & Crime Reduction
- Pillar Five: Training & Education
- Pillar Six: Officer Wellness & Safety.
El Cerrito’s has maintained the same budgeted headcount over the last decade without any needs analysis. The city’s financial health and sustainability are closely tied to the effectiveness of its police force.
The State Auditor has called for an evaluation of the city’s staffing levels, highlighting concerns about unfunded pension liabilities. Despite these warnings, El Cerrito’s City Management and City Council have yet to take action on evaluating staffing levels, addressing crime or the rising pension costs.
The most successful agencies weed out bad cops and discipline staff when necessary – remember that half-million-dollar sexual harassment payout? The officer involved did not face disciplinary action.
Let’s be clear – El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government is not calling for massive layoffs of union staff. However, the analysis needs to determine the right size and shape of the Police Department and develop a plan to address these changes through attrition. The concept of reducing staff through attrition involves not filling positions as employees leave, which can avoid the need for involuntary layoffs. It also allows the city to reshape the organizational structure of the Police Department.
Inform the City Manager that immediate action is required to decrease crime in El Cerrito. Emphasize the necessity for a thorough analysis of the situation, rather than simply increasing staff numbers.
Here is how you can help:
- Share this post with other residents.
- Comment on the post
- Attend the monthly Financial Advisory Board meetings in person.
- Post on Next Door
- Voice your concerns with the Council.
- Council meetings are remote and in-person, but public comment is now limited to in-person attendees.
If you want to contact City Council Members or the City Managers, all their emails are below:
- Karen Pinkos-City Manager kpinkos@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
- Councilperson Gabe Quinto gquinto@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
- Councilperson Carolyn Wysinger cywysinger@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
- Councilperson Tessa Rudnick trudnick@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
- Mayor Lisa Motoyama lmotoyama@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
- Councilperson Paul Fadelli pfadelli@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 