Lincoln crime drops again in 2025, marking fifth straight year of decline
Lincoln saw an 8% drop in crime in 2025, adding to already relatively low crime levels as police credited increased staffing and technology for improving public safety, according to the department’s annual report.
The decline marked the fifth consecutive year crime has fallen in the city.
According to the report, crime decreased by 8% from the previous year. The department tracked major offenses including homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft and arson.
In 2020, the department recorded 600 crimes in those categories. By 2025, that number dropped to 342.
Chief of Police Matt Alves said the quality of life in Lincoln is hard to find in California.
“Our police officers, dispatchers, and support staff work tirelessly every day to ensure Lincoln is a safe and flourishing city,” he said.
Police responded to 10,367 calls for service in 2025 and handled 7,018 officer-initiated incidents, the report said. Officers also conducted 3,918 traffic stops.
The department made 962 arrests during the year.
The city’s dispatch center answered 54,841 calls in 2025, while records staff processed 2,194 cases and 668 citations, according to the report.
The department’s investigations unit was assigned 201 cases. Investigators also handled 67 cyber tips involving crimes against children.
The most common crime investigated by the unit was the distribution of obscene material depicting minors, followed by elder abuse and rape.
School resource officers assigned to the Western Placer Unified School District handled 780 calls for service, according to the report.
Lincoln’s Specialized Resource Team, which focuses on quality-of-life issues and crime trends such as organized retail theft, homeless-related calls and enforcement of the city’s non-camping ordinance, arrested 53 people and issued 37 citations.
The department booked 2,397 items into property and evidence and purged 2,487 items during the year, according to the report.
The Crime Analysis Unit prepared 70 reports for department personnel and conducted geolocation analysis for seven investigations. The unit also assisted outside agencies investigating a burglary series that occurred across multiple counties.
Chief Alves said the department continues to seek new ways to serve the community.
“We are committed to upholding the high standards we have established and will persistently seek innovative ways to serve our residents and eliminate crime in Lincoln,” he said.
Police received about $350,000 in grant funding for education, enforcement vehicles, equipment and traffic-related overtime operations. The department also implemented an $88,500 grant-funded electronic citation system for patrol officers.
Flock license plate reader cameras helped officers make 39 arrests, including 27 felony arrests, 11 misdemeanor arrests and one infraction citation.
During the year, the department hired two police officers, a dispatcher, an office assistant and a crime analyst. The crime analyst and office assistant roles were new positions for the department in 2025.
Volunteers also supported the department’s operations. The report said 18 volunteers logged 4,689 hours, completed 246 live scans and issued 277 parking citations.
The department also conducted three DUI checkpoints in 2025.
