Crime falls overall in Redlands, but drugs and weapons offenses surge in 2024

REDLANDS, Calif. — Total crime in Redlands fell 5 percent in 2024, according to the Redlands Police Department’s latest annual report, with most violent and property crimes trending down. But the year also brought sharp increases in drug and weapons violations, underscoring what police say is the effect of more proactive enforcement.

The report, released earlier this year, is the first full edition under Police Chief Rachel Tolber. It also reflects the city’s third year using the National Incident-Based Reporting System, which tracks all offenses in an incident rather than just the most serious one.

“Our 2024 Annual Report is the first opportunity we have had to compare three full years of NIBRS crime data, and the results are positive: Crimes Against Persons dropped by 5 percent, and Crimes Against Property decreased by 20 percent compared to 2023,” Tolber wrote in an email to Community Forward Redlands. 

During the same period, Crimes Against Society increased by 47 percent. Tolber said this trend “reflects the proactive work of our newly established Community Engagement Team,” to address these crimes. 

Here's a look at the numbers:

Violent crime drops

Crimes against persons declined overall, including double-digit decreases in aggravated assault and intimidation. Rape reports fell more than a third, though the city’s rate remains roughly in line with state averages. The exception was homicide, which rose from none in 2023 to three cases last year.

Property crime sees broad decline

Property crimes — the largest share of cases Redlands police handle (62%) — fell by one-fifth. Robbery, burglary and theft all dropped significantly. Even motor vehicle theft, which has trended upward statewide, remained flat in Redlands. Two categories bucked the trend: arson nearly doubled, and forgery cases climbed sharply.

The Community Services Bureau also made changes in 2024. Early in the year, it introduced a Community Engagement Team (CET) dedicated to assisting businesses downtown and at the Mountain Grove and Citrus Plaza shopping centers. The team focused its efforts on addressing retail theft and homelessness-related issues, while also trying to increase positive interactions with residents. In its first year, CET members met with business owners 129 times and led 13 organized retail theft operations. 

Drugs and weapons drive increase

The sharpest movement came in crimes against society, which rose nearly 50 percent. Drug and narcotics violations jumped by almost a third, while arrests tied to drug equipment more than doubled. Weapons offenses also increased by more than a quarter. Police said much of the rise stems from the Community Engagement Team, formed in 2024 to tackle retail theft and homelessness-related issues downtown and at shopping centers.

New policing strategies

Unlike previous years, when the annual report was dominated by statistics, this year’s edition included more narrative detail. Alongside crime data, it offered overviews of the department’s bureaus, describing how teams are structured and how the department says it is working to improve safety and community relations.

The department also divided the city into five patrol sectors last year, giving officers smaller beats to cover. Police reported faster response times for top-priority calls, especially in the last quarter of 2024, and say the approach has helped officers build stronger ties with neighborhoods.

The department’s clearance rate also improved. The Special Services Bureau, which oversees investigations, forensics and crime analysis, was assigned 936 cases in 2024. Of those, 246 were cleared — a 26.39 percent rate, nearly 4 points higher than in 2023. In policing, a case is considered “cleared” when investigators make an arrest or otherwise resolve it, such as identifying a suspect who cannot be charged. Clearance rates don’t measure convictions but reflect how often police close cases on their end.

“I am especially proud of this report because it showcases the outstanding work of the men and women of the Redlands Police Department and reaffirms our commitment to public safety through trust, innovation, community partnerships, and excellence in service,” Tolber wrote.

Three-year context

The annual report shows a steady decline in overall crime since 2022, when Redlands logged more than 4,400 offenses. By 2023, total crime fell to about 4,300 cases, and in 2024 it dropped again to just over 4,100.

The full report can be accessed on the city's website under Annual Reports.