Crime is down in Beverly Hills, according to a monthly report by the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) provided at the Oct. 28 Health and Safety Commission. Lieutenant Andrew Myers presented crime statistics from August to the first half of October, displaying a general downward trend across violent crimes and property crimes. Myers stated he expects October to continue on this trend, based on preliminary figures from the first half of the month.
Overall, total crime decreased by 34% from August 2024 to September 2024 and is also down 14% from last year. However, there was a 55% uptick in burglaries from August to September, particularly in residences. Despite this, property crime—which consists of burglary, larceny theft and motor vehicle theft—is still down 34% from August to September.
The BHPD is still investigating an incident that took place on Sept. 28 in the 100 block of Spalding Drive, where a man was fatally stabbed after attacking a father and his baby. The case has yet to be presented to the Los Angeles District Attorney, who ultimately decides whether or not to bring charges.
Statistics for July to September from the BHPD Mental Health Evaluation Team (MET), which consists of two officers and one clinician from the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, were also provided. During this period, the team made 80 face-to-face contacts with individuals experiencing homelessness and provided mental health and outreach services. Aside from directly providing resources to individuals struggling with mental illness, such as applications for involuntary psychiatric evaluations, MET also collaborates with community services like the Beverly Hills Outreach Team to support those experiencing homelessness.
BHPD is on “tactical alert” in anticipation of Election Day, Nov. 5, but there is currently no intelligence related to specific threats.
The Beverly Hills Fire Department also reported its incident statistics for an entire year from September 2023 to September 2024. Deputy Fire Chief Alfred Poirier reported a slight reduction in rescue and EMS incidents as compared to the previous year. However, there has been a large increase in categories such as service calls and good intent calls. Poirier stated that this may be attributed to their nurse practitioner unit, the advanced practitioner responses and reports they generate.
The Human Services Division also gave the commission an update on the Beverly Hills Scattered Site Housing Program. Nearing its one-year anniversary, the program has successfully housed 19 formerly unhoused individuals. Additionally, four of the five shelter beds from the nonprofit organization People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) have been filled. PATH is one of several nonprofits receiving funding from the city to assist homeless individuals in Beverly Hills.
