Crime Statistics Reveal Mixed Bag in Cathedral City

Crime Statistics in Cathedral City Show Decreases in Some Areas, Increases in Others

CATHEDRAL CITY — Acting Police Chief Rick Sanchez is prepared to deliver a presentation to the City Council on Wednesday that will cover crime data from 2025 and compare it to crime statistics from 2024. Councilors and residents can expect to see increases in some areas while there are decreases in others.

The chief’s presentation, which you can see here, will provide a complete picture of crime dynamics and the department’s response.

Each year, the Police Department compiles crime statistics and reports them to the FBI. This allows the department, council members, and the community to see how crime affects the area. It also helps the department decide how to deploy resources and address emerging crime trends, according to the chief.

Currently, the Crime Analyst Unit uses the department’s report management system (RMS) to gather and calculate crime statistics. These are based on the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), which is the current national standard for reporting crime data to the FBI. NIBRS replaced the previous standard, Universal Crime Reporting (UCR), on January 1, 2021. NIBRS lets agencies track all crimes in an incident, not just the most serious. Because of this, not all crime statistics represent single crime events; some include multiple charges for one incident.

Following are some highlights from the presentation, which be delivered during the City Council’s study session at 3 p.m.

• In 2025, the city recorded a 1% decrease in crimes against persons. These cases include homicide, manslaughter, robbery, kidnapping, rape, assault, and other sexual assault crimes. The slight decrease is partly due to the absence of homicides or manslaughter in 2024. In 2025, there were two homicides and two manslaughter cases. These increased numbers in those categories. While any rise in violent crime is concerning, it does not show an upward trend in violence or serious crime for the city. All four cases resulted in the arrest of suspects. Prosecution is at various stages. Kidnapping increased by 25% in 2025. These were not abduction cases and were all domestic violence related.
• In 2025, the city had a 12% decrease in Property Crimes. These include arson, burglary, shoplifting, motor vehicle theft, credit card fraud, identity theft, vandalism, and other property crimes. Motor vehicle thefts fell by 31%. Theft of motor vehicle parts dropped by 58%. Stolen property offenses dropped by 56%. Identity theft dropped by 35%. However, shoplifting cases increased by 24% in 2025. The main cause was Prop 36, which took effect on December 18, 2024. After Prop 36 was enacted, more retailers reported thefts than in 2024, according to the Crime Analysts Unit. While numbers are higher than in 2024, they don’t
  show a specific problem with theft in the city. Retail theft nationwide also rose from 2023 to 2025.
• In 2025, the city had a 35% increase in Crimes Against Society. These include drug or narcotic violations, paraphernalia, prostitution, obscene material, weapons violations, and animal cruelty. Narcotics rose by 37%, and drug equipment cases by 70%. These increases are mainly tied to Prop 36 and more proactive policing. Increased narcotics activity has led to more drug-related arrests, overdoses, and emergency responses. The spread of narcotics in the community is also linked to a rise in related crimes, like theft, since individuals may commit these offenses to support substance use. Weapons violations dropped by 33% in 2025 compared to 2024.
• In 2025, there were 36,646 total calls for service and officer on-view (proactive) activity in the city. This compares to 38,294 calls in 2024. These numbers show no consistent pattern of rising crime. Most increases in specific crime areas are linked to new laws, such as Prop 36, or to increased law enforcement activity. For example, some offenses rose due to updated reporting rules, changes in prosecution thresholds, and more officer proactivity. Therefore, year-over-year differences should be seen in this context, not as signs of lasting crime growth in the community.

The department will continue partnerships with the Post Release Community Supervision Accountability Team (PACT), Riverside County Gang Impact Team (GIT), and the Coachella Valley Narcotics Task Force (CVNTF) to address probation violations, gang activity, and narcotics issues, according to the chief. These task force groups provide additional investigative resources not
available at the patrol level.

The department has begun using the Drone as First Responder (DFR) with three drones situated within the city. The capability allows for an overhead aerial view during calls for service, allowing for intelligence to be provided to first responders.

The department has also welcomed a new Community Behavioral Health Assessment Team (CBAT) member from Riverside University Health System. This CBAT technician will be paired with an officer full-time to help those suffering from mental health crises and behavioral health issues. The technician along with our Homeless Liaison Officers, will be able to collaborate and provide some options for intervention from people suffering from health and addiction issues, according to Sanchez.

The department will further continue to participate in various community events, from community and neighborhood watch meetings and Coffee With a Cop to the annual backpack giveaway, Shop With a Cop, and Touch a Truck events.

“The department takes great pride in serving the community,” writes in his staff report. ” Every member is committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and compassion. Through daily interactions, active outreach, and a commitment to public safety, department members strive to make a positive difference in the lives of those they contact. Their sense of duty and
“Pride in Service” is reflected in the strong partnerships they build with the community and in their ongoing pursuit of excellence in all aspects of law enforcement.”

Normally no action is taken on Study Session Items, however, the City Council reserves the right to give specific policy direction and take specific action as necessary.