notes

This is a gathering place for tips and resources for those who find themselves dealing with vandalism and other property crimes in their neighborhoods.

We are doing our best to make these pages intuitive and easy to follow. If something is not clear or is confusing, please go to our Contact page and drop us a note describing the problem. We will try to clarify and correct any shortcomings.

Residents for Quality Neighborhoods, San Luis Obispo, California

Vandalism and Theft

Vandalism Issues in San Luis Obispo

Vandalism is a sad fact of life in many of San Luis Obispo's residential neighborhoods. It ranges from keying cars and smashing/destroying property in front yards to breaking car and house windows and spraying graffiti on practically everything.

Even if you do not intend to report vandalism or graffiti as a claim to your insurance company, it is important for residents to report all acts of vandalism, no matter how small, to the police. If this type of crime is not reported, there is no record of the amount of damage that occurs in our residential neighborhoods.

Per the SLOPD website, if you witness vandalism or graffiti in progress, immediately call 9-1-1.

If you are the victim of vandalism, contact the San Luis Obispo Police Department [Dispatch: 781-7312].

The San Luis Obispo Police Department has created a Graffiti Information page to assist residents in reporting graffiti to the appropriate public or private entities. There are phone numbers and/or e-mail links listed for many public and private entities. They will appreciate your assistance.


Thefts and Burglaries in San Luis Obispo

As a part of its Uniform Crime Reporting process, our police department differentiates between thefts and burglaries.

To be classified as a burglary, the theft must be from a structure (four walls, a roof, and a door), must involve trespassing, and there must be an intent to commit a crime. In 2018 San Luis Obispo saw a significant increase in the number of residential burglaries. From 2017 to 2018 residential burglaries increased by 56% (from 103 to 164). In 2018, 77% of the reported residential burglaries were committed with NO FORCE entries being made. This was a 20% increase from 2017. The majority of residential burglaries (43%) occurred in the neighborhoods surrounding the Cal Poly campus.

Any other theft is classified as a larceny; this includes all thefts from vehicles. From 2017 to 2018 the number of thefts from vehicles dropped from 566 to 432, and the number of stolen vehicles dropped from 94 to 74.

If you witness a theft or burglary in progress, immediately call 9-1-1.

If you are the victim of a theft or burglary, contact the San Luis Obispo Police Department [Dispatch: 781-7312].