High Desert Crime Rate Down Nearly 14 Percent in 2015

Robert A. Lovingood and San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon. (submitted photo)

VICTOR VALLEY-(VVNG.com):  Do you feel like the crime rate in the High Desert ever?  Do you ever wonder if there is an end in sight? The following 2015 crime statistics may surprise you. The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisor Vice Chair, Robert A. Lovingood announced that the overall crime rate declined by nearly 14 percent across the High Desert in 2015 and is continuing in the downward trend.

“I commend Sheriff’ McMahon and his Department for all their hard work and innovative approaches that are paying off for our residents,” Lovingood said.

According to Sheriff’s Department statistics, in the eight San Bernardino County Sheriff’s stations within the first district, they have seen the 13.95% decline in 2015. All eight stations saw a decline, the largest being in the unincorporated Victor Valley with a 26 percent decline.

The city of Adelanto and unincorporated area of Barstow, both saw 16 percent declines, Hesperia saw a 15% decline, Victorville saw a 12% decline, Apple Valley saw a decline of 7%.

“I am committed to strengthening law enforcement,” Lovingood said. “So once again, this year I will be allocating special funds for ‘Desert Guardian’ crime sweeps in the High Desert. I think these new crime stats show that these sweeps are effective.”

Lovingood said he believes that the decline has to do with the outstanding work of the Sheriff’s department, from the Sheriff and his Management team to the deputies, civilian staff and the volunteers.

Along with the staff working hard to make the desert community safe there have been twenty-five additional deputies added to the unincorporated communities without a tax increase. “Desert Guardian”, a four-month crime sweep in the High Desert is also believed to assist with this crime rate reduction as is new approaches toward gang crimes. The District Attorney also has a new program to help reduce recidivism among low-level, non-violent offenders, projected to reduce the misdemeanor caseload by 25 percent.