In 2014, crime in the City of Los Banos was down 11.87 percent overall from 2013. The Department saw an increase in the aggravated assault category and had no change in the rape and homicide categories.
The Police Department continues to use social media groups, such as Nixel, Facebook, and Twitter, as a means of reaching the public with important crime information and news releases. We also made crime mapping available on our website as a means of keeping the public informed about crime in their neighborhood.
“Our local Facebook community has taken an active role in fighting crime by staying vigilant, reporting suspicious activity, and sharing information about criminal activity. I have no doubt that engaged citizens have a significant impact on crime reduction.”
- Jason Hedden, Police Commander
In 2014, the Police Department experienced one reportable homicide involving the gang related shooting death of a 17-year-old Dos Palos, CA teen. Two male juvenile suspects, ages 16 and 17, were arrested in connection with the homicide and are in custody awaiting trial.
“The overall decrease in crime in Los Banos is satisfying. I attribute much of that success to the hard work of the men and women I work with every day, but I’m concerned with the increase in aggravated assaults. In looking closer at these statistics, the increase is attributed to non-gang related confrontations between people including family fights, domestic violence, and neighbor disputes amongst other situations, where individuals are injured. There is still work to do. I am also worried about how the laws changed by Proposition 47 are going to affect our community.”
- Gary Brizzee, Chief of Police
To leave an anonymous crime tip call (209) 827-7070 ext. 288. If you have access to a computer and the internet, you can also leave an anonymous tip at the Police Department’s web page at www.losbanos.org. At the bottom of the “Contact” page, simply click on the “report graffiti and other crime” link or contact the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1 (855) 725-2420 or at www.mercedareacrimestoppers.org.
