Chico crime falls

In 2019, overall crime fell 2 percent in Chico when compared with 2018, according to the Chico Police Department.

The decrease was aided by a 9 percent drop in violent crime, which includes aggravated assaults, robberies and rapes. Property crime—burglaries, larcenies and vehicle thefts—was flat year-over-year.

Addressing the perception in some circles that crime has been on the rise, Police Chief Mike O’Brien suggested social media may be playing a role.

“A lot of information now is in the hands of the public,” O’Brien said. “That’s a good thing, but that information needs to be provided in context. And sometimes just listening to a scanner does not provide context.”