KPBS Midday Edition

From thefts to homicide and hate crimes: Nearly all major crimes up in city of San Diego in 2021

By Maureen Cavanaugh / KPBS Midday Edition Co-Host, Megan Burke / News Editor

Published March 9, 2022 at 4:11 PM PST

This story was published more than 2 years ago.

In his State of the State speech, Governor Gavin Newsom talked about the need to address rising crime rates in California, saying that while the state is funding law enforcement and prosecutors to solve and investigate crimes, “We’re also investing hundreds of millions in new programs to tackle the root causes of crime. Doubling down on proven violence prevention programs. That is the California way,” he said.

San Diego city leaders found out Monday just how much crime has risen in the city in the last year. San Diego police leaders presented statistics showing crime increased 13% in 2021. Almost all major crimes saw increases, from vehicle thefts to homicides. Hate crimes increased a startling 77%.

The cause, according to San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit, is frustration and anger over COVID-19 disruptions to normal life.

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The San Diego Union-Tribune reporter Lyndsay Winkley joined Midday Edition Wednesday to talk about the crime rate and what city leaders have to say about it.

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Maureen Cavanaugh

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Maureen Cavanaugh has been a familiar voice for KPBS listeners for more than 15 years, serving in a variety of capacities including announcer, host, and producer. As host of KPBS Midday Edition, Maureen has interviewed a wide range of notables, such as comedienne Sandra Bernhardt, actor John Lequizamo, author Chuck Palahniuk, composer Marvin Hamlisch, artist Robert Irwin, and designer Zandra Rhodes. But of all the interviews Maureen has conducted, her most special was with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Before joining KPBS in 1997, she worked as a news anchor for KSDO and KOGO News Radio in San Diego. While working for commercial radio stations in San Diego and in Salt Lake City, Utah, Maureen reported on both hard news and lifestyle features. Maureen has received three "Golden Mike" awards from the Radio and TV News Association of Southern California for economic reporting and breaking news. She has also received a "Best of Show" and “Best Radio Newscast” awards from the San Diego Press Club and the "Flo" Award from Public Radio Program Directors Association for Best Public Radio Announcer in a large market. Maureen is a native of Queens, New York, but after more than 20 years in San Diego she feels she qualifies as a real Southern Californian.

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Megan Burke

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Megan Burke is an Emmy-award winning news editor overseeing the environment, health, and racial justice and social equity reporting beats. Prior to her current role as editor, Megan spent more than a decade as a producer for KPBS Midday Edition, a daily radio news magazine and podcast. Other news production credits include KPBS Evening Edition, KPBS Roundtable, and San Diego’s DNA, a two-part documentary highlighting the region’s oldest traditions and culture using personal artifacts and oral histories of San Diegans.

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