Long Beach Faces Police Shortage as Crime Rates Climb

Long Beach, CA – A shortage of police officers in Long Beach is contributing to an uptick in violent crime, with homicides, robberies, and commercial burglaries all rising over the past year. The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD), which has struggled with staffing shortages, is now dealing with increased crime levels as it works to maintain public safety.

According to recently released crime statistics, homicides in Long Beach increased from 26 in 2023 to 38 in 2024, marking the highest total since 2021. The most significant increases were recorded in the East Division, where murders spiked from 2 to 11, and the North Division, where the number doubled from 6 to 12. Additionally, commercial burglaries rose by 55.6% citywide, with the biggest jump occurring in the South Division, where they increased by 74.5%. Robberies also saw an 18.5% increase, surpassing 1,100 incidents for the first time since 2017.

Gun violence has also become a growing concern. Between January and April 2024, officers responded to 114 reports of gunfire, up from 105 during the same period in 2023. Murders during that time increased from six to eleven.

Long Beach city leaders are actively seeking solutions to address the officer shortage, including recruitment incentives and increased funding for law enforcement. Mayor Rex Richardson has proposed new measures to attract more recruits, including higher starting salaries and additional benefits.

“We must do everything in our power to bring more officers to Long Beach Mayor Richardson said in a recent press conference. Public safety is our top priority, and we are committed to making sure our police department has the resources it needs.

Despite these efforts, police officials warn that rebuilding the force will take time, and residents may continue to experience delays in emergency response. The city is urging the community to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity as authorities work to stabilize the situation.

In response to the crime surge, the LBPD has been deploying high-crime focus teams, increasing proactive enforcement, and attempting to recover illegal firearms. Officers seized 183 firearms in early 2024, a significant increase from the 114 recovered during the same period the previous year.

However, the department’s ongoing staffing struggles remain a challenge. The LBPD has been plagued by vacancies, requiring officers to work 10-hour mandatory overtime shifts twice a month. Police Chief Wally Hebeish recently announced plans to reduce that to one shift per month while also shifting some crime reporting responsibilities to civilian employees to ease the burden on officers.

The Long Beach Police Officers Association has expressed concerns about the impact of understaffing, arguing that without additional recruitment and retention efforts, crime could continue to rise. City officials are exploring ways to boost hiring while balancing the department’s budget.

For now, residents are urged to remain vigilant and take precautions as the city works to address both crime and the police shortage.