Crime in Orange has been inconsistent. Some violent crimes, like homicide and sexual assault, decreased, while others, such as aggravated assault and robbery, were reported more frequently than in the previous year. 

At the State of the City event on Oct. 6, Orange Mayor Dan Slater presented the 2022 annual crime report, which catalogs the total number of crimes committed in the city, spanning from violent crimes to property crimes like stolen vehicles and residential burglary.

For instance, aggravated assault cases went up from 84 in 2021 to 106 in 2022 and commercial burglary from 229 to 356. Meanwhile, homicide went from six cases to zero, and theft from vehicles decreased by 63 cases.

The report also details the hours of training the department’s officers completed, the number of 911 calls received and the total arrests made, among other data points regarding safety and crime prevention in the city.

Slater spoke highly of the city’s police department in light of the crime report. 

“The Orange Police Department does a fantastic job despite all the restrictions placed on them by the state of California,” Slater told The Panther.

He added that the city is very committed to supporting the police department and doesn’t see that changing anytime soon.

“We have a great police department with outstanding employees and have proved developing and maintaining trust and relationships with the community makes us stronger together,” said Police Chief Dan Adams in a statement in the crime report. 

Orange resident Jeannie Flippin agrees. She spoke with The Panther about a domestic violence incident she was victim to in April of this year and the empathy officers showed her in the following days.

“At no time was I treated disrespectfully; in fact, they were kind and asked me if I needed to go to the emergency room,” Flippin said. “They guided me through the process, knowing I was traumatized. I trust them implicitly.”

The Orange Police Department did not respond to several requests for comment prior to publication.

More information regarding crime prevention efforts in the city and where to file a police report can be found on the Orange Police Department’s website.