Marina del Rey : Drop in Crime Reported

The crime rate in Marina del Rey dropped 13.6% during the first 11 months of this year, led by a sharp decline in burglaries and vehicle theft, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Through the end of November, 767 serious crimes had been reported in the county-owned marina this year, down from 888 in the same period last year.

Burglaries dropped by 39.1%, from 148 last year to 90 this year. Vehicle thefts decreased 26%, from 138 last year to 102 this year.

The only increases reported were in robbery--up 16%, from 25 to 29 cases--and arson, which increased from one to two incidents.

The number of people arrested in the marina rose 8.6%.

Capt. Ray Sanchez, head of the marina sheriff’s station, said increased patrols and efforts to get to know area merchants may have contributed to the drop in crime. Sanchez said the marina benefits from relative isolation and restricted access routes in and out.