Laguna Beach Police Streamlines Reporting To National Standard

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The Laguna Beach Police Department has embraced a new FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System, the department announced this week.

Over the New Year's Day holiday, the department moved away from its legacy database system, in use for 17 years, in favor of the national database to better track crime within the city.

Officers will submit the new FBI NIBRS-compliant data to the California Department of Justice, aligning with federal standards, and implement a new Records Management System, a department spokesperson said.

This advancement enhances the department’s ability to collect detailed crime data, supporting transparency and strengthening public safety initiatives within the community.

With this migration to NIBRS, specific crime statistics may increase due to changes in how individual crimes are counted. Unlike the SRS, which records only the most serious offense per incident, NIBRS allows up to ten offenses to be reported. For example, in an incident involving both an assault and vandalism, the SRS would have reported only the assault, whereas NIBRS would report both offenses.

NIBRS provides comprehensive details about criminal incidents, including information on victims, offenders, their relationships, arrestees, property, and drug involvement and up to 10 offenses within a single incident.

According to Chief Jeff Calvert, this modernized reporting system represents a significant evolution in how law enforcement agencies record and analyze crime data, offering greater transparency and deeper insights for both law enforcement and the public.

“The Laguna Beach Police Department is committed to improving the quality and accuracy of our crime data,” Calvert said. “By adopting NIBRS, we’re enhancing our ability to address specific public safety issues and providing the community with a clearer understanding of crime in Laguna Beach.”

NIBRS collects data on critical issues facing law enforcement, including weapons offenses, drug crimes, domestic violence, child and elder abuse, hate crimes, white-collar crime, and terrorism.

The system’s standardized format allows for advanced analysis, equipping the Laguna Beach Police Department to identify crime trends, allocate resources, and engage with the community on public safety concerns.

The transition to NIBRS, along with the implementation of a new Records Management System, demonstrates the department’s dedication to embracing data-driven practices that improve
operational efficiency.

By contributing to the national database, Laguna Beach Police are supporting the broader law enforcement community’s efforts to develop effective crime prevention and response strategies.