The California Highway Patrol said the results of its Independence Day Maximum Enforcement Period are a sobering reminder of the consequences resulting from unsafe driving behaviors.
Sixty-eight people were killed in crashes throughout the state during the Independence Day Maximum Enforcement Period, or MEP, which began at 6:01 p.m. on Friday, June 30, and concluded at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4.
Nearly half of the total number of vehicle occupants who died within CHP jurisdiction were not wearing a seat belt, the CHP said.
With unsafe speed being the number one contributor to crashes in California, the CHP placed a special emphasis on its enforcement during the recent MEP.
CHP officers issued more than 9,700 speed citations throughout the long Independence Day weekend.
Additionally, the CHP said impaired drivers were removed from California’s roadways at an alarming rate during the holiday enforcement effort.
CHP officers made 1,224 arrests for driving under the influence, which is an average of one DUI arrest every five minutes.
“The results of this MEP are concerning and reinforce the need for responsible behavior behind the wheel,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “All of these deaths were preventable, and the loved ones they leave behind will be forever impacted. Traffic safety is everyone’s responsibility, and these statistics show us how much work there is still to be done. The CHP is committed to making California’s roadways safer for all who use them.”
To help protect those who are traveling on California’s roadways during the holidays, the CHP implements six MEPs per year.
The next MEP is scheduled for Labor Day weekend.
Throughout the holiday weekend, all available uniformed members of the CHP will be on patrol to enhance public safety, deter unsafe driving behavior, and, when necessary, take appropriate enforcement action.
“Keep yourself and others who are on the road safe by buckling up, driving at a speed safe for conditions, avoid distractions behind the wheel, and always designating a sober driver,” the CHP said in its report on the MEP.
LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild has announced its highly anticipated annual Falling Leaves Quilt Show, inviting quilters and textile enthusiasts from near and far to showcase their exquisite craftsmanship.
The Falling Leaves Quilt Show will take place at the Lake County Fairgrounds at 401 Martin St. in Lakeport.
Show hours are Saturday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Celebrating the timeless artistry of fabric, this event promises to captivate audiences with a mesmerizing display of colors, patterns, and stories woven into each unique quilt.
The annual quilt show has become a cherished tradition, offering a platform for talented quilters of all levels to exhibit their creative masterpieces and share their passion for the textile arts.
Whether you're an experienced quilter or just starting your journey, you are welcome to participate in this vibrant community event.
All quilt enthusiasts are invited to submit their extraordinary works of art for consideration in the Falling Leaves Quilt Show.
This year, the quilt guild is seeking a diverse range of quilts that highlight the rich tapestry of talent and creativity within our quilting community.
From traditional designs to modern interpretations, from hand-stitched heirlooms to innovative machine-made marvels, every quilt has a story to tell and a place in this showcase of textile artistry.
The deadline for submission is Aug. 13.
The event is open to quilters of all levels, including individuals, groups, and organizations. The entry fee is $8 per judged item and $1 per non-judged item. Prizes may be awarded in various categories
The Falling Leaves Quilt Show will be a feast for the eyes, providing visitors with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of quilting, gain inspiration, and appreciate the talent and dedication of our quilt-making community.
It's an occasion for quilters to connect, exchange ideas, and foster a supportive environment that celebrates the artistry and heritage of quilting.
To submit your quilt or for more information, visit www.llpg.org.
Don't miss this chance to have your quilt displayed and admired by fellow enthusiasts, patrons and art connoisseurs.
Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the art of quilting in our community.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Clearlake City Council on Thursday will consider a financial report, equipment lease and an update to management staffs’ employment contract.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 6, for a budget workshop before the regular meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to City Clerk Melissa Swanson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments before 4 p.m. Thursday, July 6.
Under business items, staff will present the annual financial report and single audit report for fiscal year 2021-22.
The council also will consider approving the lease with Peterson/CAT in the amount of $208,814.37.
In other business, the council will consider updates to the management classification and benefits plan and city salary. Those proposed updates include a 3% cost of living increase.
On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are considered routine in nature and usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; consideration of rejection of proposals for design services of the dam road roundabout; approval of contract amendment with Lucy & Co. for public relations and communication; approval of contribution to Hands Up Lake County for support of the 1 Team 1 Dream Program in the amount of $30,000; approval of additional leave of absence without pay for Maintenance Worker II Johnny Miskill for June 8, 2023 through June 18, 2023; consideration of bid award for the City Hall Remodel Project to Adams Commercial General Contracting Inc. in the amount of $1,281,110 and authorize the city manager to approve change orders up to 10% of the contract price; authorization of purchase of office furniture from National Business Furniture through the GSA Program in an amount not to exceed $70,000; and authorization of a side letter with the Clearlake Police Officer Association and the Clearlake Middle Management Association.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — County officials will be leading a series of public meetings and conducting outreach to help thousands of Lake County residents navigate reinstated requirements for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, the federal government temporarily waived Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program requirements for annual eligibility redeterminations.
As a result, Medi-Cal members kept their health coverage continuously during the public health emergency.
However, now those eligibility requirements are back in effect, according to Lake County Social Services.
Starting with redeterminations due in June 2023, counties are required to start processing redeterminations and taking appropriate actions following regulation.
Lake County Social Services reported that all active Medi-Cal customers will undergo a redetermination over the next 12 months and while they will try to auto renew as many customers as they can, it is not always possible.
Lake County has 37,542 active individuals receiving Medi-Cal benefits and the majority of them will have to complete a redetermination. It averages to around 3,128 per month.
County officials need the help of those covered by Medi-Cal to ensure they and their families remain covered.
If you have not already, please ensure that your contact information is correct with the Social Services Department and check your mail often. You will receive a redetermination packet in the mail 60 days prior to the due date and it must be returned in time to avoid any lapse in coverage.
The redetermination packet may look overwhelming as it is quite large, but most of the paperwork you receive will be educational materials. The only forms you must return to the county are the ones that ask you about your contact information, household, income and property.
To make it even easier, it will come with a prepaid return envelope that is already addressed; just complete the forms, sign and date, stuff the envelope and make sure the Lake County Social Services mailing address is visible through the window.
To aid the community in this effort and to make sure the county is available to help Medi-Cal recipients, the county has staffed a new counter service unit at its office at 15975 Anderson Ranch Parkway in Lower Lake. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There will be both English and Spanish speakers available in person. If you have a different primary language, translators are available by phone.
For those who may not be able to make it into the office, there also will be numerous outreach events staffed with Social Services employees ready to help.
Here is the scheduled listing of outreach events for July 2023:
• Thursday, July 6, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave.
• Thursday, July 6, 5 to 7 p.m.: The Warming Center, 1111 Whalen Way, Lakeport.
• Friday, July 7, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Lucerne Senior Center, 3985 Country Club Drive.
• Friday, July 7, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St.
• Friday, July 7, 5 to 7 p.m.: Middletown Farmers Market, 21249 Washington St.
• Thursday, July 13, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave.
• Thursday, July 13, 5 to 7 p.m.: The Warming Center, 1111 Whalen Way, Lakeport.
• Friday, July 14, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Lucerne Senior Center, 3985 Country Club Drive.
• Friday, July 14, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St.
• Tuesday, July 18, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Clearlake Senior Center, 3245 Bowers Ave.
• Tuesday, July 18, 5 to 7 p.m.: The Warming Center, 1111 Whalen Way, Lakeport.
• Thursday, July 20, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave.
• Thursday, July 20, 5 to 7 p.m.: The Warming Center, 1111 Whalen Way, Lakeport.
• Friday, July 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Lucerne Senior Center, 3985 Country Club Drive.
• Friday, July 21, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St.
• Thursday, July 27, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave.
• Thursday, July 27, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Kelseyville Senior Center, 5245 Third St.
• Friday, July 28, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Lucerne Senior Center, 3985 Country Club Drive.
• Friday, July 28, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St.
Ways to complete your redetermination on your own:
• Mail it in: P.O. Box 9000, Lower Lake, CA 95457.
• Drop it off: 15975 Anderson Ranch Parkway, Lower Lake.
Explaining why wait times can be so lengthy in the emergency room, a new study by UC San Francisco reports that emergency department capacity hasn’t kept up with patient demand in California over the last decade.
The researchers found that the number of emergency departments, or EDs, decreased by nearly 4% in California, while the number of ED visits rose by 7.4%.
It is the first analysis of emergency medicine patterns in recent years.
The researchers also reported that the number of high-severity visits rose by nearly 68%, while the number of low-severity visits declined by 63 percent.
“We know that there is overcrowding in the ED,” said lead author Renee Y. Hsia, MD, a UCSF professor of emergency medicine. “Capacity has largely failed to match the rise in patient demand.”
The paper published June 22, 2023 in JAMA Network Open.
Amid numerous changes in the U.S. health care system in recent years, emergency departments continue to play a vital role in the system. EDs are required to treat all patients regardless of ability to pay, and they function as a safety net for uninsured patients, many of whom use the ED for primary care services.
The new study used data from the California Department of Health Care Access and Information and the U.S. Census Bureau from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2021.
In that time, California’s population grew by 4.2%, but the number of emergency departments in California fell from 339 to 326, while the number of hospital beds decreased by 2.5% (75,940 to 74,052).
“Our findings show what many health care workers already know to be true: the burden on emergency departments across the state of California has intensified over the last 10 to15 years,” Hsia said.
“Becoming aware of these trends is the first step to improving emergency department care,” she said. “To efficiently and equitably address ED crowding and improve overall care, policymakers and health care administrators should work to increase ED capacity, while also making thoughtful decisions about where and how to best allocate resources.”
Co-authors: From UCSF: Renee Y. Hsia, MD, MSc; Stefany Zagorov; Michael T. Savides; Madeline Feldmeier; and Newton Addo. From the National Bureau of Economic Research: Nandita Sarkar, PhD.
Over the past two decades, a staggering 21.8 million Americans found themselves living within 3 miles (5 kilometers) of a large wildfire. Most of those residents would have had to evacuate, and many would have been exposed to smoke and emotional trauma from the fire.
Nearly 600,000 of them were directly exposed to the fire, with their homes inside the wildfire perimeter.
Those statistics reflect how the number of people directly exposed to wildfires more than doubled from 2000 to 2019, my team’s new research shows.
Instead, three-quarters of this trend was driven by intense fires growing out of control and encroaching on existing communities.
That knowledge has implications for how communities prepare to fight wildfires in the future, how they respond to population growth and whether policy changes such as increasing insurance premiums to reduce losses will be effective. It’s also a reminder of what’s at risk from human activities, such as fireworks on July 4, a day when wildfire ignitions spike.
Where wildfire exposure was highest
I am a climate scientist who studies the wildfire-climate relationship and its socioenvironmental impacts. For the new study, colleagues and I analyzed the annual boundaries of more than 15,000 large wildfires across the Lower 48 states and annual population distribution data to estimate the number of people exposed to those fires.
Not every home within a wildfire boundary burns. If you picture wildfire photos taken from a plane, fires generally burn in patches rather than as a wall of flame, and pockets of homes survive.
We found that 80% of the human exposure to wildfires – involving people living within a wildfire boundary from 2000 to 2019 – was in Western states.
California stood out in our analysis. More than 70% of Americans directly exposed to wildfires were in California, but only 15% of the area burned was there.
What climate change has to do with wildfires
Hot, dry weather pulls moisture from plants and soil, leaving dry fuel that can easily burn. On a windy day – such as California often sees during its hottest, driest months – a spark, for example from a power line, campfire or lightning, can start a wildfire that quickly spreads.
Recent research published in June 2023 shows that almost all of the increase in California’s burned area in recent decades has been due to anthropogenic climate change – meaning climate change caused by humans.
Our new research looked beyond just the area burned and asked: Where were people exposed to wildfires, and why?
We found that while the population has grown in the wildland-urban interface, where houses intermingle with forests, shrublands or grasslands, that accounted for only about one-quarter of the increase in the number of humans directly exposed to wildfires across the Lower 48 states from 2000 to 2019.
Three-quarters of that 125% increase in exposure was due to fires’ increasingly encroaching on existing communities. The total burned area increased only 38%, but the locations of intense fires near towns and cities put lives at risk.
Wildfires in the high mountains in recent decades provide another way to look at the role that rising temperatures play in increasing fire activity.
High mountain forests have few cars, homes and power lines that could spark fires, and humans have historically done little to clear brush there or fight fires that could interfere with natural fire regimes. These regions were long considered too wet and cool to regularly burn. Yet my team’s past research showed fires have been burning there at unprecedented rates in recent years, mainly because of warming and drying trends in the Western U.S.
What can communities do to lower the risk?
Wildfire risk isn’t slowing. Studies have shown that even in conservative scenarios, the amount of area that burns in Western wildfires is projected to grow in the next few decades.
How much these fires grow and how intense they become depends largely on warming trends. Reducing emissions will help slow warming, but the risk is already high. Communities will have to both adapt to more wildfires and take steps to mitigate their impacts.
Developing community-level wildfire response plans, reducing human ignitions of wildfires and improving zoning and building codes can help prevent fires from becoming destructive. Building wildfire shelters in remote communities and ensuring resources are available to the most vulnerable people are also necessary to lessen the adverse societal impacts of wildfires.
A bill signed by the governor last week will allow for pay increases for city councils for the first time in nearly 40 years.
Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, authored SB 329, which he said is a measure to boost participation and diversity on California city councils by allowing the first council pay cap increases since 1984, bringing salaries more in line with the cost of living.
The newest law addresses an issue that Dodd said has discouraged public participation on city councils.
Now, in general law cities, city councils may vote to receive a limited salary, not to exceed caps based on population size provided in state law.
However, the maximum amounts set by state law have not been increased since 1984, despite inflation of more than 300% during that time.
Because of the disparity, people from diverse communities are discouraged from running for office, Dodd’s office said. Others with full-time jobs have been forced to resign their posts before their terms expire because they can’t devote time to council service and supporting their families.
In the city of Clearlake, council salaries for 2022 ranged between $6,000 and $10,861, with two council members receiving between $10,230 and $10,290 in retirement and health contributions, according to the Government Compensation in California website, which uses data submitted by the city.
The Government Compensation in California website does not specify which council members receive what pay amounts.
In the city of Lakeport, in 2022 two council members receive wages, one $1,050 and another $3,000, and two others receive retirement and health contributions, totaling $15,233 and $21,059. Three others are reported as receiving no pay.
There are seven Lakeport Council Council positions listed for last year, rather than five, due to resignations followed by new appointments.
Senate Bill 329 allows councils to adjust their maximum pay to reflect inflation as measured by the California Consumer Price Index. Any increases would require a majority vote of the city councils.
SB 329 was supported by the NAACP California Hawaii State Conference and the League of California Cities, among other groups.
“In my time in the Legislature, people have called for action on a range of issues – from wildfire safety to consumer protection — and I’ve responded with commonsense laws addressing these pressing issues,” Sen. Dodd said. “My priority is always the same — to make life better for Californians. That’s the goal of my latest bill, which will remove barriers to achieving more equitable representation in local government by making it easier for public servants to balance careers and personal obligations.”
On June 29, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill. It’s the 100th bill written by Sen. Dodd since he joined the Legislature in 2014, first as an Assembly member — representing a district that included Lake County — and later as the Third District senator.
It is reported to be the single highest number from any legislator over the same period.
Dodd has taken on an array of issues including helping small businesses, improving wildfire safety and bolstering consumer privacy and protection.
“So much of politics today is about being a political show horse. Yet, Sen. Dodd demonstrates time and again that he’s a workhorse — trying to solve problems — and not merely about political grandstanding,” said David McCuan, political science professor at Sonoma State University. “With 100 bills signed by California governors, this approach is about moving the lines forward on controversial political debates and issues. SB 329 is yet another example of doing what’s right to improve our work in politics over that of merely being about the show in the game of politics.”
NORTH COAST, Calif. — Mendocino College has received a prestigious five-year, $1.5 million grant from the California Community College system to further its work to help Native American students achieve success at the college level.
The funding, which began in June, will enable the college to continue providing vital resources, support and services specifically tailored to Native American students.
Mendocino College is one of only 20 institutions selected to receive funding for the establishment of a Native American Student Success & Support Program.
With this grant, Mendocino College will be able to hire dedicated staff members who will work closely with Native American students, ensuring they receive personalized support and guidance throughout their educational journey.
Additionally, the funding will facilitate stronger engagement with tribal nations in the region, fostering collaboration and partnership.
College officials said this funding comes at a crucial time, allowing Mendocino College to build upon its recent efforts to enhance the support provided to Native American students.
The college remains committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.
In recent years, Mendocino College has been steadfastly committed to closing equity gaps for Native American students and fostering deeper connections with the community.
The college's 2022-2025 Student Equity Plan reveals that these efforts have indeed paid off, with Native American students achieving on par with or surpassing their peers in numerous categories.
During the 2021-2022 academic year, Mendocino College proudly enrolled the highest number of Native American students among all institutions within the California Community College system, which comprises 116 community colleges.
Despite being one of the smallest colleges in terms of overall student population, Mendocino College stands out for its remarkable success in attracting and supporting Native American students.
“Enhancing educational opportunities and pathways for Native American communities are core priorities of our district. We feel privileged to serve numerous tribal nations and are eager to collaborate in addressing the educational needs of Native American students,” said Mendocino College President Dr. Tim Karas.
Mendocino College stands out among California community colleges by offering a dedicated on-campus space specifically for Native American students.
In the past year, the college has relocated the Native American Student Resource Center to a more prominent location near Pomo Plaza along with various support services. This move has significantly enhanced the center's visibility and facilitated greater access to resources for students.
Mendocino College has demonstrated its commitment to engaging Native American students through initiatives such as the establishment of Pomo Pathway in 2018.
Initially launched in collaboration with the Coyote Valley Tribe of Pomo Indians, Pomo Pathway is a student learning community that integrates culturally relevant content into course curricula while offering supplemental support beyond the classroom.
Although the pandemic necessitated a temporary shift to online learning, Pomo Pathway has now resumed providing in-person assistance to students. Furthermore, the program has expanded its range of support by incorporating the Native American Student Resource Center into its framework, ensuring a holistic approach to nurturing the success of Native American students.
The college's commitment to supporting Native American students extends beyond providing physical spaces. Mendocino College has also adopted an official land acknowledgment, renamed the main quad as Pomo Plaza, and increased the number of cultural events on campus.
These initiatives represent just a fraction of the comprehensive efforts being made by the institution to create an inclusive and nurturing environment for Native American students.
“We are proud of the work we are doing at Mendocino College and these funds will allow us to continue our efforts to promote student success among our Native American community and to reinvigorate a college-going culture in our region,” says Ulises Velasco, vice president of student services. “Our hope is that through our consistent efforts, we are able to ensure that Native Americans feel welcomed and supported at Mendocino College and consider starting their college career with us.”
Mendocino-Lake Community College District was formed in 1973 to serve students in Mendocino and Lake counties. Mendocino College offers over 100 degree and certificate programs, and has campuses in Ukiah, Willits, Fort Bragg and Lakeport. Learn more at www.mendocino.edu.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the release of the annual Homicide in California, Crime in California, Use of Force Incident Reporting, Juvenile Justice in California, and Crime Guns in California statistical reports.
The information contained in the reports reflects statistics for 2022 as submitted by California law enforcement agencies and other criminal justice entities.
The reports provide policymakers, researchers, law enforcement, and members of the public with vital statewide information on criminal justice statistics in California to support informed policy choices based on data and analysis and help protect the safety and well-being of all Californians.
This year, in accordance with Assembly Bill 1191 (D-McCarty), the California Department of Justice, or DOJ, has released the first annual Crime Gun in California Report, which provides insights on patterns and trends relating to recovered firearms that have been illegally possessed, used in a crime, or suspected to have been used in a crime.
“Having access to good data is a cornerstone of responsible public policy. The data released today is essential for understanding, preventing, and combating crime,” said Bonta. “In 2022, California made significant progress towards reducing its homicide rates, but more remains to be done. While crime rates remain significantly below their historical highs, property and violent crimes continue to have devastating consequences for communities across the state, and gun violence remains a major threat to public safety.”
Bonta continued, “Despite having a gun death rate significantly below the national average, gun violence accounted for nearly three-fourths of all homicides in California in 2022. That is unacceptable. My office is committed to confronting these crimes head-on by holding law-breakers accountable, providing victims the resources they need to heal, and working proactively to prevent crime from happening in the first place.”
Each year, DOJ publishes annual reports on various criminal justice statistics in California. While law enforcement agencies across the state are in the process of transitioning to the new data collection system known as the California Incident-Based Reporting System, or CIBRS, the format of the information made available in this year’s reports remains consistent with previous years.
The ongoing transition to incident-based reporting will ultimately enable law enforcement agencies to collect more in-depth information about specific incidents than previously available in the legacy system that had been in use for decades.
For instance, under the legacy system, statistical data was typically collected using the “Hierarchy Rule,” i.e., only the most serious offense within a criminal incident is counted for statistical purposes. As a result, if a robbery and a homicide occurred in the same incident, the legacy system only counts the homicide for statistical reporting purposes.
Through CIBRS, policymakers, law enforcement, and members of the public will eventually have more detailed information, context, and specificity about crime in the state. Law enforcement agencies across California are currently in the process of transitioning to CIBRS.
To date, more than 600 reporting agencies have completed the transition and are in the process of becoming certified by DOJ. DOJ continues to work with agencies across the state during this ongoing transition.
In the interim, in order to help ensure the annual criminal justice reports remain complete and accurate to the fullest extent possible, DOJ continues to accept data in both the legacy and CIBRS formats.
The information made available in this year’s reports is a combination of data collected under both reporting methods.
Attorney General Bonta encourages researchers, academics, and all members of the public to analyze the data and use it to help inform public discourse on the state’s criminal justice system.
Key findings from each of the four reports released by Bonta and a brief description of their contents are available below:
Homicide in California 2022 provides information about the crime of homicide, including demographic data of victims, persons arrested for homicide, persons sentenced to death, peace officers feloniously killed in the line of duty, and justifiable homicides. Some of the key findings include:
• The homicide rate, defined as the number of homicides per 100,000 people in the state, decreased 5 percent in 2022 (from 6 per 100,000 in 2021 to 5.7 per 100,000 in 2022), remaining significantly below California’s historical high of 12.9 per 100,000 in 1993. The number of homicides in 2022 remains roughly half of the number of homicides in 1993, despite the population swelling from approximately 31 million in 1993 to more than 39 million in 2022. • Firearms continue to be the most common weapon used in homicides. In 2022, 73.6% of homicides, where the weapon was identified, involved a firearm. • Among California’s 36 counties with populations of 100,000 or more, Merced County experienced the highest reported homicide rate (12.3 per 100,000) and Santa Cruz County, the lowest (0.8 per 100,000). • Among homicides where the victim’s relationship to the suspect was identified, females (37.1%) were more likely than males (7.7%) to be killed by their spouse, parent, or child. • There was a 4.2% decrease in total homicide arrests from 1,550 in 2021 to 1,485 in 2022. Crime in California 2022 presents statewide statistics for reported crimes, arrests, dispositions of adult felony arrests, adult probation, criminal justice personnel, civilians’ complaints against peace officers, domestic violence-related calls for assistance, anti-reproductive-rights crimes, and law enforcement officers killed or assaulted. Some of the key findings include:
• The violent crime rate — i.e., the number of violent crimes per 100,000 people — increased 6.1% from 466.2 in 2021 to 494.6 in 2022, remaining significantly below California’s historical high of 1,103.9 in 1992. • The property crime rate increased 6.2% from 2,178.4 in 2021 to 2,313.6 in 2022, remaining significantly below California’s historical high of 6,880.6 in 1980. • The total arrest rate decreased 2.7% from 2,606.3 in 2021 to 2,535.2 in 2022, continuing an ongoing year-to-year downward trend that began in 2004 when the total arrest rate was 5,385.5. In 2022, the total number of adults on active probation reached its lowest level since 1980 at 151,402. • The total number of full-time criminal justice personnel — including law enforcement, prosecutors, investigators, public defenders, and probation officers — decreased 1.4%. From 2021 to 2022, the number of law enforcement, prosecution and probation personnel decreased 1.3, 0.3 and 3.6 percent, respectively.
Use of Force Incident Reporting 2021 presents a summary overview of use of force and discharge-of-firearm incidents involving a peace officer, as defined in California Government Code section 12525.2. Some of the key findings include:
• In 2022, there were 597 incidents that involved the use of force resulting in serious bodily injury or death of a civilian or officer, or the discharge of a firearm. Of those incidents: 49.4% occurred during a call for service. 16.1% occurred while either a crime was in progress or while officers were investigating suspicious persons or circumstances. 74.9% resulted from a vehicle, bike, or pedestrian stop. In 2022, 612 civilians were involved in incidents that involved the discharge of a firearm or use of force resulting in serious bodily injury or death. Of those civilians: 48.4% were Hispanic. 25.3% were white. 19.3% were black. • In 2022, 1,375 officers were involved in incidents that involved the discharge of a firearm or use of force resulting in serious bodily injury or death. Of those officers: 82.5% were not injured. 17.1% were injured. 0.3% died.
Juvenile Justice in California 2022 provides insight into the juvenile justice process by reporting the number of arrests, referrals to probation departments, petitions filed, and dispositions for juveniles tried in juvenile and adult courts. Some of the key findings include:
• Of the 36,640 referrals of juveniles to probation, 94.5% were referred by law enforcement. Of the 26,000 juvenile arrests: 45.8% were for a felony offense. 49.8% were for a misdemeanor offense. 4.4% were for a status offense, defined as acts that would not be classified as crimes if committed by adults. • Of those same juveniles: 62.5% were referred to probation. 20.6% were counseled and released. 16.9% were turned over to another agency. Of the 17,627 juvenile cases that were formally handled by a juvenile court, 51.3% resulted in juveniles being made wards of the court. • Of the 59 juvenile cases tried in adult court, 71.2% resulted in a conviction.
Crime Guns in California 2022 provides insight into patterns and trends relating to recovered firearms that have been illegally possessed, used in a crime, or suspected to have been used in a crime — also known as “crime guns”— including the leading sources and origins of those firearms. Some of the other key findings include:
• Approximately 545,946 unique crime guns with identifiable serial numbers were recovered by law enforcement agencies in California and entered in the Automated Firearm System (AFS) between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2022. Additionally, approximately 85,402 crime guns were entered in AFS without any recorded serial number over this period. • 76,135 (13.94%) of the serialized crime guns entered in AFS over this period could be associated with a total of 1,929 distinct California firearm dealers. • While all the identified dealers sold or transferred at least one firearm that was later recovered as a crime gun, 344 dealers were associated with only one crime gun and 82 dealers were associated with roughly half of all crime guns (38,230 firearms). The highest number of crime guns associated with one dealer was 1,652. • On average, each licensed dealer sold or transferred 39 firearms that were later identified as a crime gun. • The manufacturers associated with the most crime gun records included: Smith & Wesson; Glock; Sturm, Ruger, & Co.; Taurus Forjas; and Remington. • Crime guns were recovered by law enforcement in all 58 counties. • Counties with higher populations tended to have higher numbers of crime guns. However, when accounting for crime guns per capita, a county’s population size did not appear to have any reliable correlation with its number of crime guns per person. In other words, more populous areas, like cities, were not necessarily more likely to recover more or fewer crime guns per capita than less populous area. • Over the past decade, California experienced a significant increase in the number of crime guns recovered without serial numbers. In 2022, there was a 7% drop in the number of crime guns without serial numbers reported statewide, the first decrease recorded since 2013.
The Homicide in California report is available here. The Crime in California report is available here. The Use of Force Incident Reporting report is available here. The Juvenile Justice in California report is available here. The Crime Guns in California Report is available here. The underlying data associated with the annual reports is available on OpenJustice here.
While some states, like Vermont, eliminated the property voting requirement in the 18th century, this shift became more popular in the 1820s and the 1830s.
Congress passed the 15th Amendment in 1870, giving Black men and others the right to vote, regardless of race.
State lawmakers also used bureaucratic measures, such as a poll tax, renewed attempts at a property requirement and literacy tests, to prevent African Americans from voting.
The fight over African American suffrage continued for decades, and many courageous Americans protested and were arrested or killed in the struggle to exercise their voting rights.
In the 1960s, Congress passed additional legal measures to protect the voting rights of Black Americans. This included the 24th Amendment, which outlawed the use of poll taxes, and the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which prohibited any racial discrimination in voting.
Women’s turn
In 1920, women gained the right to vote with the addition of the 19th Amendment, following another decadeslong struggle.
Having self-governed for centuries, Native Americans were not legally recognized with voting rights until Congress approved the Indian Citizenship Act in 1924.
While that supposedly gave Native Americans the same rights as other Americans, Native Americans faced the same tactics, like violence, that white racists used to prevent Black Americans from voting.
But equality for women, young people and racially marginalized groups did not change overnight.
Social equality remains far off for many people, including undocumented immigrants, for example, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Current limitations to ‘We the People’
The government has recognized that citizens over the age of 18 have a right to participate in self-government. But there are still political and legal attempts to restrict people’s ability to vote.
While some states have passed new laws that make it harder to vote in recent years, other states have made it easier.
North Carolina passed new ID requirements in April 2023 that make it difficult for those without current state identification to vote.
Twenty-five states, meanwhile, including Hawaii and Delaware, have passed laws over the last few years that make it easier to vote. One of these measures automatically registers people to vote when they turn 18.
There are more examples. The bottom line is, voters have fewer protections when it becomes harder to vote, and American democracy is not as democratic as it could be.
The big picture
Voting is not the only form of recognition and participation in a democracy. People can be respected at work, paid what they are worth and treated with dignity. Community members can be treated fairly by police, school officials and other authorities, given an equal opportunity for justice and education to improve their lives.
People can also contribute to the social and economic well-being of a democracy in ways other than voting, doing everything from planting a tree in a public park to attending a political rally.
But the overall expansion of voting rights and a historical understanding of “We the People” shows that everyone belongs in a democratic society, regardless of wealth, achievement or other differences.