The annual National Night Out Against Crime is happening today. It’s an event that is designed to allows law enforcement officers to interact with the community during free neighborhood events.
And events are happening in San Diego and across the county late this afternoon and this evening in most cities, from Chula Vista and National City to El Cajon and Escondido and with the Sheriff’s Department taking part as well.
The National Night Out Against Crime is aimed putting a spot light on how cops and the public can work together to fight crime.
The annual event comes at a time when overall crime in the city of San Diego has been falling.
Overall crime citywide in San Diego dropped by 2.7% in 2023.
The violent crime rate of 4.4 per thousand residents is one of the lowest of major cities in the nation.
But this latest annual report shows that hate crime reports in the city of San Diego have increased from 38 cases in 2022 to 66 cases in 2023.
Race accounted for 38% of hate crimes in 2023. Religious bias accounted to 27% of hate crimes.
And animal cruelty crimes increased from just 4 to 24 this last year.
So while crime in San Diego isn’t as bad as it is in most other big cities, it doesn’t mean we should discount the importance of the National Night Out Against Crime.
(Photo San Diego Sheriff's Department)