Lakewood police report: overall crime down in early 2026, Chief Smith cites targeted patrols and camera programs

Chief Patrick Smith presented the Lakewood Police Department’s first‑quarter 2026 report at the April 20 City Council study session, describing a year‑over‑year decline in total crimes and outlining operational changes intended to sustain those reductions.

Smith said aggravated assaults were down substantially (he cited a 46.7% drop in the published quarterly figures) and that total crimes against property were down roughly 30% compared with the prior year. He acknowledged a reported quarter‑to‑date uptick in motor‑vehicle thefts but said the department’s daily crime reporting later showed that motor‑vehicle thefts had corrected to a modest year‑to‑date decline.

The chief credited multiple tactics for the overall reductions: expanded license‑plate reader deployments (Flock and other camera systems), a dedicated town‑center business district patrol that provides high‑visibility coverage and adjustments to patrol staffing to align with call patterns. He also noted short‑term targeted detective deployments to address problem areas and quality‑of‑life concerns.

Council members asked about the link between arrests and prosecution, whether certain tools such as ShotSpotter would add value for Lakewood, and the department’s response to homelessness. Smith said ShotSpotter is most useful where community members do not call 911; in Lakewood the department receives 911 calls for most violent incidents and he would prioritize other investments for local needs. On homelessness, Smith described coordinated outreach with mental‑health partners and repeated housing offers to individuals who decline services; he emphasized continuing engagement rather than one‑time contact.

Why it matters: the statistics presented indicate a measurable decline in several major crime categories, but council members pressed for data on prosecutions, traffic enforcement and nontraditional crime tracks (cybercrime, fraud). The discussion also linked public safety investments to capital items under consideration in the city budget and vendor agreements for camera systems.

What’s next: council asked for continuing regular briefings and suggested sharing weekly traffic and enforcement metrics with neighborhood associations to help explain enforcement patterns and priorities.