There are considerable differences in crime between Council Districts in San Leandro.  District 2 saw the largest total number of Part I Crimes [murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, larceny, vehicle theft & arson] numbering 111 in December, 2009, Bayfair accounting for 29 of that total.  District 5 is next in line with 60 total Part I crimes for December [District 5 includes Broadmoor HOA and Estudillo Estates HOA].  The lowest numbers come from District 4 with a low of 39 Part I crimes in December, the majority of them being larceny.  Up-to-date crime statistics can be obtained from the SLPD website http://www.sanleandro.org/depts/pd/crime/statistics.asp   

Everyone seems to be baffled by the 2009 crime statistics, the lowest on record in 29 years for San Leandro.  A Jan. 4, 2009 article in the Daily Review cited several possibilities, such as more public awareness, more aggressive district attorneys, new technology that results in faster crime reporting, community efforts, such as Neighborhood Watch, Business Watch and Citizens for a Safer San Leandro—even higher unemployment that leaves more people at home during the day.  One possibility not cited by the Daily Review is the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program, headed by Officer Kerri Kovach.  This program attacks crime from the front end, rather than the back end.  Property managers of apartment buildings and multi-unit complexes are trained on screening tenants, evictions, drug/gang recognition, and receive template rental agreements that allow eviction if a tenant is apprehended for drug use or crime.  The police department can communicate with property managers when arrests are made.  The apartment buildings are also reviewed for safety in design, receiving information on crime deterrents such as proper landscaping. 

The SLPD Programs implemented in late 2008 in response to citizen involvement Include: 1) SLPD website with up-to-date crime statistics  http://www.sanleandro.org/depts/pd/crime/statistics.asp; 2) Crime reports for the entire city listed by date, location and type of crime at http://www.crimereports.com/map?search=1193+aladdin+San+Leandro+CA; 3) Crime Free Multi-Housing Program; and 4) Crime Free Business Program.  In addition Officer Kovach has been working with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department to adopt the Crime Free Program, which hosted its first training December 16.  The impact will be felt by the high crime apartments on the south end of San Leandro in the 165th Ave. area.  Officer Kovach reports: “We are so thrilled with our progress throughout the county and happy to see that in the past year, all of us working together in Alameda County, we now have Pleasanton PD, Dublin PD, Hayward PD, Fremont PD, ACSO, and San Leandro PD all in the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program.”

All together, I believe these crime deterrents have had an impact, especially the Crime Free Multi-Unit Housing Program.  Your involvement is important.  You can host your first Neighborhood Watch by contacting Officer Tim DeGrano at 577-3248.  Get on our email list by contacting This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or register as a member at www.safersanleandro.org.  Check out the Neighborhood Watch Starter Kit on this website.

Connie Stephens, Chair
Citizens for a Safer San Leandro