Crime Jumps 22 Percent In Moraga; Per Capita Costs for Police Services Lowest In County

The Moraga Police Department said crime in town jumped 22 percent in 2010, with several high-profile incidents and property crimes contributing to the surge.

The number of Part I crimes reported in 2010 was 252 compared with 207
crimes reported in 2009, according to police statistics, driven by an increase in thefts from largely unlocked vehicles, a bank robbery, armed robbery, and a multiple car theft that ended in a chase and the death of one of the suspected thieves.

While the increase is significant on its face, the 2010 number is the same as the average reported for the past 10 years (251.3). Police Chief Bob Priebe took the opportunity to remind residents that many of the reported crimes were preventable, and he asked that everyone lock their homes and vehicles and keep an eye on valuables.

A full comparison of the crime statistics from 2001‐2010 can be found by clicking on "Crime Statistics" at the top of the MPD website.

PER CAPITA COSTS FOR MORAGA POLICE SERVICES
Along with the town's most recent crime statistics, recently released data from the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Emergency Services Division show Moraga’s law enforcement cost per capita was the lowest in Contra Costa County.

For fiscal year 2009‐2010, Moraga’s cost per resident for police services was $122.61, with the table below comparing expenditures by sister cities: