Statistics confirm what people know in their gut. Violent crime is on the rise in Santa Cruz. The city usually averages 2.4 murders per year, but 2010 has already seen 5 homicides, or double the average—and there are still five and a half months to go. In contrast, neighboring Watsonville, which is better known for its violent crimes, has not had a single homicide yet. SCPD Chief Rick Martinez admits that the city has gotten off to a rough start, but hopes that partnerships with federal agencies, various prevention programs such as PRIDE, and community organizations such as Take Back San Jose, will have an impact.
Officials also point out that the violence is apparently all gang and drug related. All of the homicides involved gunshot wounds. They also point out that all of the homicides but one—the murder of 19-year-old Carl Reimer—have been solved. Reimer was killed outside of the Mission Garden apartment complex on April 23.
