The Vision...

A Safer and Friendlier Park

...Leads to a Safer Community

Alarming Statistics

As part of working on the Bluff Park Promenade project, we consulted with a number of LBPD officers, including a CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) expert.  We discussed public safety in the park and its effect on the adjacent community.  All agreed that better lighting, removal of hiding spots, and encouraging heavier use by area residents, are necessary to deter illegal behavior and criminal activity in and around the park.  To further understand police comments on the effect of the park on crime, we conducted a research and analysis of reported crime in the Bluff Park community.

Ro Thomas is a community member, and the author of this analysis.  Ro recently retired from the LA County Sheriff Department, as Chief of Transit Policing Division.  In her various positions in thirty-some years in law enforcement, she did work relating to research and analysis of crime.  When we asked her to look at crime around Bluff Park, she was able to come up with the research.  All the raw data is directly from LBPD crime stats.

Data from this research shows the effect of the park on crime in the area (see 2016, 2017 and 2018 crime graphs below).  There are four Crime Reporting Districts (RD) that cover Bluff Park, but two of them also include Bixby Park and part of Bluff Heights to the Belmont Pier (see map below).  In order to understand the effect of Bluff Park (the park) on the community, we focused on two Reporting Districts, 432 and 493.  These RDs cover most of the Bluff Park community, and span almost the entire length of the park, from Lindero to Redondo, and Ocean to Broadway.

The analysis looked at what police call “Crime of Opportunity”, which include Part 1 Crimes: Violent Crimes and Property Crimes, and Part 2 Crimes:  Misdemeanors, Petty Theft, Narcotics, Battery, Vandalism and others.  We took all crimes in  RD 432 and 493, and removed all driver’s related crimes (Driving Under Influence and Hit & Run violations), since they may have less a relationship with the park’s environment.

The research shows that each block closer to Bluff Park (the park) the higher the crime rate (see charts below).  And the numbers are highest on Ocean Blvd across from the park.

The chart below clearly illustrates the park’s effect, in its present environment, on area crime.  And is consistent with what we learned from the LBPD CPTED expert.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

More police assigned to our community is not only unattainable, but won’t stop crime; because criminals let police go by before committing a crime.  The best way to reduce crime is to create an environment unfriendly to criminals.  In law enforcement it is called CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design).

The three CPTED components necessary to deter illegal behavior and criminal activity in and around the park are better lighting, removal of hiding spots, and attracting more local area patronage.  All three are designed into the Bluff Park Promenade project (see Promenade Details).

Jesus Espinoza is a LBPD Patrol Resource Officer and CPTED expert.  Here are his comments after reviewing the Bluff Park Promenade project (he was one of the expert consultants on our team):

"Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is based upon the belief that crime can be directly related to the design of the physical environment. The idea of adding 76 new light posts to Bluff Park is excellent and will be beneficial to the community.  Lighting plays an important role in the safety and security of any environment, especially a park that will be enjoyed by many. Not only will the new lights deter illegal behavior and criminal activity, but it will also encourage and promote a healthy and safe environment for park patrons to enjoy."

Impact on Crime in Community

Your Safety and Enhanced Experience

The Park Effect

We welcome your comments and need your support.

Please write to:  Isaac Waksul at  info@MyBluffPark.org

If you’d like to receive periodic updates on progress, please write us with your email.

We are forming an Action Group in order to move this project forward.  Please contact us if you can help.

Long Beach Police Department

Reporting Districts Map