Serious crime in Santa Barbara County is at the lowest point in 10 years. The new 2023 Crime Statistics report from the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office shows that crimes like homicide or rape dropped significantly in 2023 in the areas served by the department. The police agencies for the county’s largest cities, Santa Maria and Santa Barbara, also reported fewer serious crimes last year.
Part 1 crimes, which make up the most serious crime category, include violent crimes such as criminal homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, as well as property crimes like burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft.
The report includes all areas in the SBSO’s jurisdiction, which are the unincorporated areas in the county, including Isla Vista and Montecito, as well as the areas the Office has contracts in — Carpinteria, Goleta, Buellton, and Solvang. The report does not include the City of Santa Barbara, which is under the jurisdiction of the Santa Barbara Police Department (SBPD).
