2020 crime statistics summary

The Cedar Rapids Police Department has completed a preliminary analysis of crime statistics for calendar year 2020. Please find attached two documents that provide statistics for the year. The first document is entitled “Crime Reports 2020.” On the first page of this document, Violent Crime and Property Crime statistics submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) are detailed. The UCR provides state and national statistics about crimes. The other document the Police Department is providing is “Critical Incidents,” or shots fired incidents. Violent Crimes, Property Crimes, and Non‐Part 1 Crime Summary Calendar year 2020 was challenging in many respects for community members. With the COVID‐19 public health pandemic, economic conditions, and civil unrest, many big and medium‐sized cities throughout the country saw increases in violent crime. There were 415 violent crimes in 2020 (Murder and Non‐Negligent Manslaughter, Sex Offenses, Forcible Rapes, Robberies, and Aggravated Assaults) which is the highest number of violent crimes since 448 violent crimes in 2008. The remaining four pages of the “Crime Reports 2020” document include detailed information about violent and property crimes and includes crimes against persons, crimes against property, crimes against community peace, drug‐related crimes, alcohol‐related crimes, weapons crimes, and all other crimes. Comparing the average number of violent crimes over the past 5 years, Part 1 Violent Crime increased 15 percent and Non‐Part 1 Crimes against Persons increased just over 4 percent. While Sex Offenses/Forcible Rape was down 50 percent and robberies were down almost 3.5 percent compared to the 5‐year average, aggravated assaults increased by nearly 31 percent. Aggravated assaults, which include domestic abuse incidents, and murders brought the overall violent crime incidents higher.

Cedar Rapids had 12 homicides in 2020. Homicide is a legal term for slaying or killing. Murder is malicious, premeditated homicide. An incident is considered a murder if the investigation determines the suspect had willful and deliberate intention to kill another, it meets the definition of murder as defined by the Code of Iowa, or there is a conviction in court. Unless premeditation is obvious, for crime reporting purposes, not all homicides are considered a murder in final statistics that are submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. At the time of this summary, there are still active investigations in several of the cases, and there is one homicide case that has not been classified as a murder at this time. The data indicates that much of the disparity within the major categories is due to the restrictions

surrounding city, county, and state responses to COVID‐19 and the general social environment. Crimes

largely committed where the offender commonly comes in contact with strangers (e.g., robbery,

burglary, etc.) are the crimes that were generally lower. Crimes largely committed where the offender

commonly victimizes people within their close social circles (e.g., murder) or where the offender does

not have to come into close contact with strangers (e.g., theft of motor vehicles) were higher.

Additionally, many of the crimes where offenders were forced into closer prolonged contact with their

victims (e.g., domestic abuse) tended to spike in the March to April timeframe when restrictions began

and remained steady for several months. For those crimes where the victims are strangers and whose

rates increased toward the end of the year, the increases generally occurred in the May to July

timeframe and leveled off within two to four months—this period is largely marked by higher levels of

comfort in the COVID‐19 environment and/or a greater lack of regard for the potential dangers of

catching COVID‐19 from their victims.

The COVID‐19 pandemic is one of the factors many communities have found to have an influence on

higher violent crime numbers. Also, civil unrest with shortages of food and basic necessities, coupled

with a lost sense of normalcy or security, contributes to stress. It is also reasonable to conclude that the

release of some violent offenders or not holding offenders for serious misdemeanors in an attempt to

mitigate COVID‐19 exposure in correctional institutions is a factor. The Cedar Rapids Police Department

conducted an analysis of offenders with multiple arrests and found that 26.4 percent of individuals

arrested were arrested two or more times (956 out of 3,618 total arrests). Of those arrested, two were

arrested 30 or more times, and 13 individuals were arrested between 10‐19 times.

Reduction of violent crime will remain a priority with the Police Department. Proactive policing is driven

by calls for service and use of intelligence data to have officers patrol “hot spots,” or areas in which

crime is likely to occur. The Police Department has increased the number of Police Community Action

Team members to six officers and a commander. The Criminal Investigation Division has restructured

personnel so additional investigators are assigned to the investigation of crimes against persons. In late

2020, the Police Department assigned an officer to work as a federal liaison with the Bureau of Alcohol,

Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This position will work collaboratively as part of the Federal

Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force with a focus on gun violence investigations. In

addition, the Police Department will be using an automated firearms ballistic comparison system that

allows technicians to digitize and automatically sort bullet and shell casing signatures. Further

information will be released in February regarding the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network

and how the Cedar Rapids Police Department will be working with the ATF.

Property crimes were down over 12 percent in 2020 compared to the 5‐year average. Of significance, burglaries were down 12.6 percent and shoplifting was down over 36 percent compared to the average number of incidents over the past 5 years. Thefts of motor vehicles increased by more than 47 percent. The vast majority of these thefts are preventable. In many cases, the vehicle is left running unattended and unlocked in the driveway, on the street, or in front of a convenience store. Further, many vehicles stolen have the spare keys left in the vehicle. Many vehicles reported stolen are recovered in another part of the city and are located undamaged. Of the 566 thefts of motor vehicles, there were 264 incidents in which the police officers’ narrative to the crime report indicated that the vehicle was either left running or left unlocked (46.6 percent). The number of thefts from vehicle was up only slightly (.71 percent) compared to the 5‐year average. There have been several social media campaigns and community outreach efforts to encourage citizens to lock their vehicle doors and not leave valuables in plain sight. While there has been improvement in this category, 235 of the 708 (37.3 percent) theft from vehicle incidents involved a vehicle that was left unlocked. Of particular concern with thefts from vehicle is that 36 of the incidents involved a firearm stolen. There were a total of 36 handguns and 5 long guns taken from inside the vehicles, and most of the vehicles were not locked.

An analysis of non‐Part I crimes (those not reported to the FBI UCR) indicates that weapons crimes increased by approximately 35 percent. Most of this increase was driven by illegal possession of weapons. Of particular significance is the 260 percent increase in the number of illegal possession of a firearm by a felon arrests. Officers made 36 arrests of felons who were in illegal possession of a firearm. Carrying guns is a common denominator for causes of homicides and shooting incidents, and holding offenders accountable is a key factor in preventing further violence.

There were significant decreases in drug‐related crime and alcohol offenses in 2020. The COVID‐19 public health pandemic is believed to be a contributing factor as there was less socialization opportunities and alcohol establishments were closed or had restricted hours for much of the year. Drug‐related offenses were down almost 28 percent and alcohol‐related offenses ended the year with a decrease of 36.9 percent compared to the 5‐year average. There has been a multiple year decrease in alcohol offenses with the proliferation of ride‐share programs, but the more significant decrease is likely attributable to the COVID‐19 pandemic in 2020.

Shots Fired Incidents

Cedar Rapids had 163 substantiated shots fired incidents in 2020, which is almost 60 percent higher than the four‐year average. There were 99 incidents in 2019, 117 incidents in 2018, 104 incidents in 2017, and 87 incidents in 2016. Shots fired includes incidents in which a person was injured, property was damaged, shell casings were found, surveillance video evidence, or multiple witnesses corroborate. The numbers do not include suicides or negligent discharges.

In 2020, there was a total of 44 incidents out of the 163 total in which a person was struck by gunfire (27 percent). A total of 50 victims were identified in these incidents, including 40 victims wounded and 10 that were killed. Over the past 5 years, there has been an average of 27 victims with the yearly shots fired incidents. The Police Department’s clearance rate for shots fired incidents in which there is a victim struck by gunfire is 42 percent.

The Police Department continues to employ a Gun Reduction Initiative in an effort remove guns from those who cannot legally possess them. In total, the Police Department seized 184 guns in 2020. The Police Community Action Team recovered 34 firearms in 2020. Conclusion The Police Department and City of Cedar Rapids are committed to ongoing community outreach programs and efforts to continue to make our city a safe place to live, work or visit. There were a number of challenges in 2020 with violent crime that were reflective of a nationwide trend. In the past year, the City Council approved 10 additional police officer positions that were funded by monies received from the Automated Traffic Enforcement program. The Police Department has built constructive relationships with other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies as well as the Linn County Attorney and United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa with a collaborative mission to reduce violence and hold offenders accountable.

Violent Crime Current YTDPast 5 Calendar

Year Avg*

Current YTD vs.5 Year YTD Average

Current YTD % Difference vs.5

Year Avg*

MURDER AND NON-NEGLIGENT MANSLAUGHTER (UCR 09A) 11 6 5 83.33%

SEX OFFENSE, FORCIBLE-RAPE (UCR 11A) 15 30 -15 -50.00%

ROBBERY (UCR 120) 100 105 -5 -4.76%

Robbery 100 105 -5 -4.76%

Aggravated Theft** 0 0 0 0.00%

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT (UCR 13A) 289 221 68 30.77%

Attempted Murder 11 5 6 120.00%

Domestic Abuse 94 79 15 18.99%

Aggravated Assault 75 46 29 63.04%

Armed Aggravated Assault 107 91 16 17.58%

Assault on Police or Firefighter (Causing Serious Injury) 2 2 0 0.00%

VIOLENT CRIME TOTAL 415 361 54 14.96%

Property Crime Current YTDPast 5 Calendar

Year Avg*



Year Avg*

ARSON (UCR 200) 26 18 8 44.44%

BURGLARY (UCR 220) 826 945 -119 -12.59%

Burglary 786 888 -102 -11.49%

Attempted Burglary 40 57 -17 -29.82%

POCKET-PICKING (UCR 23A)** 0 2 -2 -100.00%

PURSE-SNATCHING (UCR 23B)** 0 1 -1 -100.00%

SHOPLIFTING (UCR 23C) 729 1143 -414 -36.22%

THEFT FROM BUILDING (UCR 23D)** 247 68 179 263.24%

THEFT FROM COIN-OPERATED MACHINE OR DEVICE (UCR 23E)** 0 2 -2 -100.00%

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE (UCR 23F) 708 703 5 0.71%

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS OR ACCESSORIES (UCR 23G) 224 164 60 36.59%

THEFT, ALL OTHER (UCR 23H) 1135 1654 -519 -31.38%

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE (UCR 240) 566 384 182 47.40%

PROPERTY CRIME TOTAL 4461 5079 -618 -12.17%

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Crime Reports YTD Statistics included in this report are subject to change, based on the progression of the case or investigation. Cases determined to be UNFOUNDED are not included in the totals. The number of incidents does not reflect the number of victims.

* Not all offenses were tracked the same way during the entire historical period. Any offense category with asterisks (**) does not have data to support full analysis for the category. Any comparisons with the historical averages may be incomplete.Incident counts for the 5-year averages are rounded up to the nearest whole number. Due to rounding, the incident

numbers may not total the average subtotals or category totals.Data Through: 12/31/2020

Crimes Against Persons Current YTDPast 5 Calendar

Year Avg*



Year Avg*

KIDNAPPING (UCR 100) 14 11 3 27.27%

Kidnapping 5 2 3 150.00%

False Imprisonment 9 9 0 0.00%

SEX OFFENSES (UCR 11B, 11C, 11D, 370, 90Z) 63 86 -23 -26.74%

Sex Abuse on Adults 11 35 -24 -68.57%

Sex Abuse on Minors/Children 45 43 2 4.65%

Indecent/Public Exposure 7 9 -2 -22.22%

SIMPLE ASSAULT (UCR 13B, 90Z) 1206 1188 18 1.52%

Domestic Abuse, Simple 444 467 -23 -4.93%

Obstructing Emergency Communications 36 29 7 24.14%

Simple Assault 651 629 22 3.50%

Assault on Police or Firefighter (Injury)** 0 1 -1 -100.00%

Assault on Police or Firefighter (No Injury) 72 63 9 14.29%

Attempting to Disarm a Peace Officer** 3 1 2 200.00%

HARASSMENT AND STALKING (UCR 13C, 90Z) 249 182 67 36.81%

VIOLATING NO-CONTACT ORDER (UCR 90F) 344 324 20 6.17%

PROSTITUTION (UCR 40A) 1 6 -5 -83.33%

CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS TOTAL 1877 1800 77 4.28%

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Crimes Against Property Current YTDPast 5 Calendar

Year Avg*



Year Avg*

EXTORTION (UCR 210) 3 3 0 0.00%

COUNTERFEITTING/FORGERY(UCR 250, 90Z) 128 287 -159 -55.40%

FRAUD (UCR 26A,26B,26C) 541 597 -56 -9.38%

Fraudulent Practice 175 167 8 4.79%

Fraudulent Use of Credit/ATM Card 259 311 -52 -16.72%

Identity Theft 104 118 -14 -11.86%

Other Fraud Crimes 3 2 1 50.00%

POSESSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY (UCR 280) 20 11 9 81.82%

BAD CHECKS (UCR 90A) 27 54 -27 -50.00%

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF (UCR 290, 90Z) 1329 1192 137 11.49%

Criminal Mischief 1329 1188 141 11.87%

Criminal Mischief, With Bias 0 4 -4 -100.00%

FAMILY/DEPENDENT CRIMES, NON-VIOLENT (UCR 90F, 90Z) 37 43 -6 -13.95%

TRESPASSING (UCR 90J) 238 224 14 6.25%

CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY TOTAL 2323 2407 -84 -3.49%

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Crimes Against Community Peace Current YTDPast 5 Calendar

Year Avg*



Year Avg*

FALSE REPORTS (UCR 90Z) 10 9 1 11.11%

INTERFERENCE WITH OFFICIAL ACTS (W/ INJURY) (UCR 90Z) 31 29 2 6.90%

INTERFERENCE WITH OFFICIAL ACTS (WEAPON) (UCR 520) 9 8 1 12.50%

INTERFERENCE WITH OFFICIAL ACTS (SIMPLE) (UCR 90Z) 466 527 -61 -11.57%

DISORDERLY CONDUCT (UCR 90C, 90Z) 125 239 -114 -47.70%

FIREWORKS (UCR 90Z) 44 11 33 300.00%

STATUS CRIMES (UCR 90B, 90G, 90Z) 36 73 -37 -50.68%

Curfew 3 10 -7 -70.00%

Possession Under Legal Age 33 64 -31 -47.19%

CRIMES AGAINST COMMUNITY PEACE TOTAL 721 892 -171 -19.17%

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Drug-Related Crime Current YTDPast 5 Calendar

Year Avg*



Year Avg*

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES PROHIBITED ACTS (UCR 35A) 3 13 -10 -76.92%

DELIVERY/DISTRIBUTION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (UCR 35A,90Z) 92 127 -35 -27.56%

MANUFACTURING OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (UCR 35A, 35B) 0 14 -14 -100.00%

POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (UCR 35A) 609 757 -148 -19.55%

POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA (UCR 35B, 90C) 400 622 -222 -35.69%

DRUG-RELATED CRIME TOTAL 1104 1531 -427 -27.89%

Alcohol-Related Crime Current YTDPast 5 Calendar

Year Avg*



Year Avg*

OPERATING WHILE INTOXICATED (UCR 90D) 414 517 -103 -19.92%

ALCOHOL IN PUBLIC (UCR 90E, 90G) 379 760 -381 -50.13%

OPEN CONTAINER (UCR 90G) 54 67 -13 -19.40%

ALCOHOL-RELATED CRIME TOTAL 847 1343 -496 -36.93%

Weapons Crimes (UCR 520) Current YTDPast 5 Calendar

Year Avg*



Year Avg*

GIVING FALSE INFORMATION TO ACQUIRE A FIREARM (UCR 520) 0 1 -1 -100.00%

ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM AS A FELON (UCR 520) 36 10 26 260.00%

ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF WEAPONS, ALL TYPES (UCR 520) 118 114 4 3.51%

ILLEGAL USE OF A FIREARM (UCR 520) 8 4 4 100.00%

TRAFFICKING IN STOLEN WEAPONS (UCR 520) 16 5 11 220.00%

WEAPONS CRIMES TOTAL 178 132 46 34.85%

All Other Crimes (UCR 90Z) Current YTDPast 5 Calendar

Year Avg*



Year Avg*

OTHER CRIMES (UCR 90Z) 1345 1771 -426 -24.05%

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Event Call Types Entered into CAD Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Total

WEAPONSFIREARMS 95 77 103 128 167 148 185 143 128 141 124 97 1536

ACTIVEASSAILANT 1 0 0 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 0 14

STABGUNSHOTPENET 4 6 6 2 8 6 8 6 5 10 5 8 74

TOTAL 100 83 109 131 177 156 194 151 134 153 131 105 1624

Case Numbers Assigned Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Total

WEAPONSFIREARMS CASE NUMBERS 21 25 26 30 43 39 52 32 36 33 31 22 390

ACTIVEASSAILANT CASE NUMBERS 0 0 0 1 2 2 0 1 1 2 1 0 10

STABGUNSHOTPENET CASE NUMBERS 2 5 3 1 5 6 5 3 3 7 4 6 50

TOTAL CASE NUMBERS 23 30 29 32 50 47 57 36 40 42 36 28 450

ILEADS RMS DATA Jan Feb Mar Apr May* June July Aug Sept Oct Nov** Dec*** Total

Aggregated Shots Fired with Case Numbers 11 9 9 17 16 15 30 9 14 13 13 7 163

Average Shots Fired since 1/1/2016 8 7 8 6 11 9 9 10 8 11 10 8 102

Current As Of: 12/31/2020

*One of the incidents in May 2020 was from a resident who reported damage to their home, but they did not know when the incident occurred.

**One of the incidents in November 2020 was a negligent discharge.

***In December 2020, one incident was a negligent discharge, and one incident was a non-criminal incident.

2020 crime statistics summary

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