Los Altos and Los Altos Hills are among the safest cities in California, according to the most current FBI Crime Report.
ValuePenguin – a consumer-data research firm – analyzed the data and in June released a report ranking Los Altos as the seventh-safest midsize city (20,000-50,000 residents) and Los Altos Hills as the sixth-safest small city (5,000-20,000) in the state. The report reviewed 417 cities in the state, based on 2013 FBI data. Data for 2014 has yet to be released. For ValuePenguin’s report, violent crime was weighted at 90 percent, while property crime was weighted at 10 percent.
Los Altos
Crime in Los Altos has been fairly consistent in recent years, Police Chief Tuck Younis said. Crimes against people are particularly steady, though there is some fluctuation in the amount of property crime – the most common misdeed in Los Altos, he added.
“The No. 1 reason (crime is low) is the relationship the community has with the police department,” Younis said.
He offered the example of the spike in burglaries at the beginning of the year. In response to the rash of crime, the police held two community meetings that attracted more than 300 residents. At the meetings, police asked the public to report suspicious activity. Younis said the department noted an increase in calls for service as police boosted patrols. Residents’ vigilance resulted in a drop in the number of burglaries.
Younis also credited the work of officers with keeping crime in check. He described their approach as “proactive” and prioritizing community collaboration.
Burglaries remain one of the department’s biggest concerns, Younis said, noting that vehicle break-ins are a growing problem and identity theft is on the rise.
Additionally, Younis pointed to domestic violence as a crime he suspects is largely underreported. He wants residents to know that the police and other community resources are available for residents who are victims of domestic violence.
Younis advised against comparing Los Altos to other cities.
“I firmly believe that each city is different and unique in their community,” he said.
The police chief encouraged residents to look out for their neighbors and call police when they see anything suspicious. If a resident is unsure about making that call, he or she should “err on the side of calling us,” Younis said, adding that “it’s not a bother.”
Los Altos Hills
Crime in Los Altos Hills is in some ways similar to that in Los Altos, with burglaries being of particular concern. In addition to burglaries, mail theft and identity fraud are common crimes, said Sgt. James Jensen of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office strives to be visible and maintains regular suppression units in the area, Jensen said.
As in Los Altos, the department relies on residents to report suspicious activity.
“The people who work for Los Altos Hills town (government) also support us a lot,” Jensen said. “That’s why I believe it’s such a low-crime area. It’s a group effort, and in the town of Los Altos Hills, everybody plays well with each other.”
Residents are encouraged to report suspicious vehicles, said Jensen, who also reminds them to set home alarms. He added that when residents go on vacation, they can call the department to have someone patrol-check their homes.
