Police Force Below State Average for Size

Although Glendale posts a relatively low crime rate when compared with other California cities its size, the number of police officers patrolling streets here is well below the statewide average.

Glendale ranks as the seventh safest community among 45 California cities with more than 100,000 residents, according to FBI crime reports.

The city boasted the lowest crime rate in its comparison group until the mid-1980s, when it was ousted from first place by bedroom communities that slowly crept over the 100,000 population mark, Sgt. Lief Nicolaisen said.

Glendale ranked behind suburban meccas such as Thousand Oaks, Sunnyvale, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley, Irvine and Fremont.

Violent crime in Glendale is up 81% since 1976, the number of calls received by police jumped 34%, and the number of crimes committed increased 34%, Nicolaisen said.

The city has not increased its police force in the past 18 years in proportion with the higher demand for police services--leaving fewer officers to grapple with more complex crimes and lengthier reporting procedures.

At 1.1 officers per 1,000 residents--for a total of 250 sworn police personnel--Glendale has fewer officers per 1,000 residents than Pasadena, Burbank, Inglewood, Torrance, Santa Ana and Anaheim. Guidelines set by the International Assn. of Police Chiefs recommend that cities Glendale’s size have 2.5 officers per 1,000.

The statewide average is 1.45 officers per 1,000 residents, but if Glendale were to meet the average the city would have to hire 55 more officers, said Jack Altounian, an administrative analyst with the Police Department.

Because the city’s crime rate has traditionally been low, he said, the council has maintained minimum staffing levels.