Reported Crime Drops 11% in San Fernando in 1990

The number of crimes reported in the city of San Fernando declined by more than 11% in 1990 compared with the previous year, officials said Wednesday.

The decline continues a five-year trend, said Police Lt. Rico Castro, who compiled the report. Overall, Castro said, the number of crimes reported has fallen about 24% since 1986.

“We enjoy good support from the community, City Council and city administrators,” said Police Chief Dominick Rivetti in explaining the decrease. “We also have a very motivated group of officers. . . . This pays off.”

There were 1,465 crimes reported in 1990, compared with 1,654 in 1989, a decline of 11.4%, according to the department report released Tuesday.

Overall, major crimes fell 12% from 1,398 in 1989 to 1,224 in 1990, but rapes and homicides both increased, with homicides climbing from two in 1989 to three in 1990 and rapes from seven in 1989 to 10 in 1990.

Burglaries fell 17% overall, with a 14% drop in residential burglaries and a 19% decrease for businesses.

Lesser felonies such as swindles, forgeries and check-writing schemes fell 6% from 256 in 1989 to 241 in 1990.

The number of arrests also dropped, from 1,604 in 1989 to 1,449 in 1990.

The San Fernando Police Department, which has 34 sworn officers responsible for patrolling 2.4 square miles, has a response time of 60 to 90 seconds for emergency calls, Rivetti said.