Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 97F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has released the latest numbers from its annual crime report and the data reveals some increases in violence and criminal offenses taking place around the Victor Valley community.

On average, from 2017 to 2021, the Victor Valley has seen an increase of more than 87% in aggravated assaults. That includes the communities of Apple Valley, Adelanto, Hesperia, and Victorville combined.

Law enforcement usually defines aggravated assault as a crime that involves a deadly weapon that is used to inflict great bodily injury to another individual. The criminal offense falls under what is classified as "Part 1 Crimes." Additional offenses under Part 1 include Murder, Manslaughter, Rape, Robbery, and Simple Assault. 

The new sheriff's report reflected percentages for offenses that fall under "Violent Crime" which include Burglary, Larceny, and Grand Theft Auto. Between 2017 - 2021, the department has reduced violent crimes in Apple Valley by more than 47%, Adelanto by 40%, Hesperia by more than 38%, and Victorville by 35%. Violent Crime has been reduced on average in all 4 communities by about 40% according to the data released last week. 

One of the questions that have been on the minds of people in the community is "Did the pandemic affect crime in the area?"  

While the simple answer is "yes" due to population shifts and spikes in people moving to the High Desert, HDdailynews.com reached out to San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus for a more thorough response. 

Sheriff Dicus' opinion is that  Prop 47  may have impacted crime throughout the county. The prop made some broad changes to felony sentencing laws. The prop allowed for the reclassification of certain theft and drug possession offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. It then authorizes defendants currently serving sentences for felony offenses that would have qualified as misdemeanors under the proposition to petition courts for resentencing under the new misdemeanor provisions. Additionally, Prop 47 allows defendants who have completed their sentences for felony convictions that would have qualified as misdemeanors under the proposition to apply to reclassify those convictions to misdemeanors.

Sheriff Dicus was asked for his opinion on more funding from city contracts so the sheriff's department could increase deputy patrols and/or beats to help bring down the percentages of crime more effectively in contracted cities. The Sheriff's opinion is that more cops will help prevent crime increases at the rate they currently are rising.  

In an  October 2021 article , Victorville Police (San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department contracted agency) were asked by HDdailynews.com about the last time beat lines (territories for patrol) had been created for the city. At that time, the department had about 6 territories that were designated patrol with one "rover" deputy on each side of Interstate 15, thus enhancing police presence in the community to eight patrol officers per shift. The department at that time presented several recommendations to the City of Victorville for police presence, including a recommendation that would allow the city to consider a maximum 9-beat or 10-beat patrol system. 

Lesser crimes such as incidents that are not considered active like a robbery, break-in, or even a simple fender bender have been known to take a huge amount of time for law enforcement to respond to. Sheriff Dicus touched upon that and what the department is looking to do with "leveraging technology." According to the Sheriff, the department is looking at creating a "Zoom Deputy," which would be a sheriff specialist from the department that would assist in starting a report much quicker for victims. The purpose is expected to cut down response times by the sheriff's department and start the investigation process much quicker and more efficiently. 

Sheriff Dicus also mentioned that he is in the process of adding 28 deputies to the force. The goal is to place those deputies in county areas where high call loads have been occurring. 

The crime report is produced by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department annually and the 2021 full report can be looked at  here.  

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.

Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.

Error! There was an error processing your request.

Have the latest local news delivered every morning.

We'll send breaking news to you as they happen!

Best trending stories from the week sent on Saturday.