Public safety in Menlo Park, by the numbers

Crime in Menlo Park on a map and year by year since 1985, what the police chief told the City Council in May 2026, and the latest on the city’s license plate readers. The figures cover the whole city, and their sources are listed at the bottom of the page.

Sources last checked October 1, 2026. Each figure’s own date is noted beside it.

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Crime reports by year, on a map

Each mark is one crime that police took a report on or made an arrest for, with an icon and a color for its type. Pick a year, from 2018 to the latest the City has published, and pick a type of crime to show only that type.

Burglaries

Break-ins to homes, garages, businesses and other buildings.

118 on the map in 2024 (+6% from 2023).

Car break-ins

Break-ins to cars.

61 on the map in 2024 (−9% from 2023).

Stolen vehicles

Cars and other vehicles reported stolen.

41 on the map in 2024 (+21% from 2023).

Thefts

Thefts without a break-in, such as of bikes and packages, and shoplifting.

349 on the map in 2024 (+17% from 2023).

Vandalism

Damage to property, such as broken windows or graffiti.

84 on the map in 2024 (+65% from 2023).

Robberies

Taking something from a person by force or threat.

11 on the map in 2024 (−2 from 2023).

Assaults

Assaults and batteries, including those with a weapon.

58 on the map in 2024 (+5% from 2023).

Shootings

Reports of a shooting, or of shots fired at an occupied home, building or car.

2 on the map in 2024 (−1 from 2023).

Homicides

Reports of a homicide.

0 on the map in 2024 (same as 2023).

Rapes are not on the map, to protect victims’ privacy; their yearly counts are in the chart below and in Crime by type.

Hover over or tap a mark for its type, month, block and the City’s record of the call. Solid badges are property crimes; ringed ones, crimes against a person. Not mapped for 2024: 4 reports with no location, 1 outside the city. *The City’s published calls end September 8, 2025.

Crime year by year, since 1985

The same types as the map, one line each, plus rapes, which the map leaves out. Most are the California Department of Justice’s yearly counts since 1985. The state counts neither vandalism nor shootings, so vandalism is the police department’s own count, since 2023, and shootings come from the City’s police calls, since 2018, as on the map. Hover over or tap the chart to read any year, and tap a type to hide or show its line.

1985–2025Counts for 2025, the latest year; changes from 2024.

Burglaries

Someone entering a building, such as a home, garage, store or office, to steal or commit another crime. Attempts count. Car break-ins are counted as thefts from cars, which is why these counts are lower than the department’s burglary table, in the Burglaries summary below.

Car break-ins

Thefts of things from inside cars, whether or not a window was broken.

Stolen vehicles

Thefts of cars, trucks, motorcycles and other vehicles, including attempts.

Thefts

Thefts without a break-in into a building, other than from inside cars (those are car break-ins): bikes, shoplifting, parts taken off cars, thefts from buildings and more.

Vandalism

Damage to property, such as broken windows or graffiti. The state’s yearly counts leave vandalism out, so this line is the police department’s own count, from its year-end summaries, starting in 2023, its first full year under the new reporting system.

Robberies

Taking something from a person by force or threat, such as a mugging or a holdup.

Assaults

Serious (aggravated) assaults: attacks with a weapon, or that cause or could cause serious injury. The state counts no others.

Shootings

Reports of a shooting, or of shots fired at an occupied home, building or car, from the City’s police calls, as on the map; the state counts no shootings of its own (a shooting is counted as a homicide or a serious assault). From 2018, the first year of the City’s published calls. They end on September 8, so 2025 is left off until the year is complete.

Homicides

Murders and other killings that were not accidents or self-defense (murder and non-negligent manslaughter).

Rapes

Rapes, including attempts. Since 2014 the count has followed a broader definition, which raised it.

Bike thefts: 59 (+26%) · Shoplifting: 81 (−12%) · All property crime: 503 (−9%) · All violent crime: 60 (−15%)

Showing 1985 to 2025

Use the left and right arrow keys to read each year.

See the numbers

Crimes by type in Menlo Park, 1985 to 2025
Year	Burglaries	Car break-ins	Stolen vehicles	Thefts	Vandalism	Robberies	Assaults	Shootings	Homicides	Rapes	Bike thefts	Shoplifting	All property crime	All violent crime
2025	68	55	29	351	68	11	48	—	0	1	59	81	503	60
2024	87	97	41	328	107	8	53	2	0	10	47	92	553	71
2023	106	106	37	308	101	14	60	3	0	5	48	48	557	79
2022	120	98	49	287	—	10	72	6	0	8	54	42	554	90
2021	75	129	51	297	—	13	24	12	0	8	74	40	552	45
2020	127	179	59	416	—	25	21	1	0	6	158	40	781	52
2019	110	226	31	407	—	13	21	1	0	16	142	62	774	50
2018	110	131	26	339	—	9	24	1	1	9	121	57	606	43
2017	95	150	34	377	—	15	23	—	0	15	131	63	656	53
2016	101	121	29	372	—	7	13	—	0	10	105	82	623	30
2015	143	170	25	278	—	6	17	—	0	9	86	40	616	32
2014	125	124	33	283	—	15	24	—	0	13	72	38	565	52
2013	180	145	28	291	—	18	32	—	0	3	78	32	644	53
2012	165	124	28	308	—	23	26	—	2	2	85	27	625	53
2011	196	127	35	259	—	20	25	—	2	2	64	25	617	49
2010	139	159	39	308	—	20	18	—	0	3	69	40	645	41
2009	137	212	49	272	—	31	30	—	1	7	79	45	670	69
2008	180	193	49	299	—	31	24	—	1	1	79	34	721	57
2007	129	123	50	258	—	26	43	—	0	5	45	33	560	74
2006	150	182	80	316	—	27	41	—	0	7	42	27	728	75
2005	159	214	91	283	—	43	36	—	0	9	58	21	747	88
2004	165	270	70	274	—	37	30	—	3	8	37	11	779	78
2003	182	268	59	332	—	27	33	—	0	6	67	19	841	66
2002	128	144	43	356	—	26	37	—	0	8	56	17	671	71
2001	167	166	51	414	—	32	45	—	0	9	84	19	798	86
2000	143	158	39	386	—	25	34	—	0	4	53	13	726	63
1999	153	165	52	417	—	32	58	—	1	7	82	26	787	98
1998	198	212	52	420	—	36	33	—	0	2	101	44	882	71
1997	191	291	53	457	—	36	47	—	1	5	93	31	992	89
1996	186	422	58	662	—	54	54	—	0	6	152	61	1,328	114
1995	281	275	74	623	—	48	77	—	1	11	145	67	1,253	137
1994	276	190	55	625	—	71	85	—	5	6	128	70	1,146	167
1993	298	201	83	686	—	68	101	—	2	8	177	93	1,268	179
1992	284	189	95	691	—	60	104	—	1	6	154	76	1,259	171
1991	306	191	78	743	—	80	87	—	2	5	184	61	1,318	174
1990	239	165	113	749	—	67	88	—	1	7	152	96	1,266	163
1989	261	165	150	790	—	58	86	—	4	8	139	176	1,366	156
1988	314	390	159	693	—	36	61	—	1	14	141	144	1,556	112
1987	387	308	84	671	—	53	168	—	1	9	108	152	1,450	231
1986	355	343	86	596	—	52	92	—	1	6	98	133	1,380	151
1985	379	389	67	633	—	43	97	—	1	16	123	146	1,468	157

How to read it: crimes reported to police, in the FBI’s categories; not arrests or convictions, and not adjusted for population. In February 2022 the department moved to the FBI’s newer reporting system, which defines some crimes differently, so compare across 2022 with care.

Crime by type, in brief

Since 1985. Property crime peaked at 1,556 in 1988 and was 503 in 2025, the lowest since the state’s records begin in 1985. Violent crime peaked at 231 in 1987 and was 60 in 2025; it went from 45 to 90 in 2022, the year the department changed reporting systems, and has fallen each year since.
Per resident. Menlo Park grew from about 27,700 residents in 1985 to about 33,300 in 2025. Per 1,000 residents, property crime went from 53.0 to 15.1, and violent crime from 5.7 to 1.8.
Last year. From 2024 to 2025, burglaries, car break-ins, stolen vehicles, vandalism, assaults and rapes went down; thefts and robberies went up; there were no homicides in either year.
On the map. The map shows 724 reports for 2024; since 2018, the yearly total has ranged from 625, in 2022, to 868, in 2019.

Open a type for its numbers: the state’s yearly count and its long view, what the map shows, and the department’s own figures where they differ.

Burglaries68 in 2025, −22% from 2024

Someone entering a building, such as a home, garage, store or office, to steal or commit another crime, including attempts. The state counts car break-ins separately, as thefts from cars.

Since 1985: highest 387, in 1987; lowest 68, in 2025. Ten years earlier, in 2015: 143.
Homes and other places where people live: 49 in 2025. Businesses and other buildings: 19.
The department’s own count, which includes car break-ins, fell each year: 204 in 2023, 150 in 2024 and 130 in 2025. Car break-ins dropped 74% over those years and burglaries of businesses fell steadily; bicycle burglaries went up, and home burglaries stayed “fairly stable,” in the department’s words.
Home burglaries jumped early in 2026, with 13 in January and February, then dropped to 2 in March and April. The department said the jump mirrored regional patterns involving organized burglary crews, and that activity has since returned to typical levels.
In 38 of 2025’s 68 burglaries, no force was used to get in, such as through an unlocked door or window; 30 were forced entries.
Per 1,000 residents in 2025: 2.0 in Menlo Park, 1.0 across San Mateo County and 2.8 statewide.
On the map: 118 reports in 2024, and 62 in 2025 through September 8.

The department’s burglary table, citywide
Type	2023	2024	2025
Car break-ins	115	56	30
Businesses	36	33	21
Bicycles (enclosed areas)	7	4	20
Homes	46	57	59
Total	204	150	130

Bicycle burglaries are cases in which only bicycles were stolen from an enclosed area; the department counts them apart from home burglaries. Its totals are higher than the state’s because it counts car break-ins as burglaries, as California law does, while the FBI’s categories count them as thefts from cars; the two also sort some cases differently, so their numbers don’t match exactly.

What the City offers: a security review of your home or business · the camera registry

Car break-ins55 in 2025, −43% from 2024

Thefts of things from inside cars, whether or not a window was broken.

Since 1985: highest 422, in 1996; lowest 55, in 2025. Ten years earlier, in 2015: 170.
The department’s burglary table counts 30 car break-ins in 2025, against 115 in 2023. The two counts differ: the department’s has only break-ins, while the state’s also includes thefts from cars that were not broken into.
Per 1,000 residents in 2025: 1.7 in Menlo Park, 1.8 across San Mateo County and 3.0 statewide.
Parts taken off cars, such as catalytic converters, are counted as thefts, not here: 26 in 2025.
On the map: 61 reports in 2024, and 23 in 2025 through September 8.

Stolen vehicles29 in 2025, −29% from 2024

Thefts of cars, trucks, motorcycles and other vehicles, including attempts.

Since 1985: highest 159, in 1988; lowest 25, in 2015. Ten years earlier, in 2015: 25.
Of 2025’s 29: 27 cars and 2 other vehicles, such as motorcycles.
Per 1,000 residents in 2025: 0.9 in Menlo Park, 1.4 across San Mateo County and 3.1 statewide.
On the map: 41 reports in 2024, and 19 in 2025 through September 8.

Thefts351 in 2025, +7% from 2024

Thefts without a break-in into a building, other than from inside cars, which are counted as car break-ins.

Of the 351 the state counted in 2025: 81 shoplifting, 59 bikes, 54 from buildings, 26 parts taken off cars, 14 pickpocketing or purse snatching and 117 other thefts.
Since 1985: highest 790, in 1989; lowest 258, in 2007. Ten years earlier, in 2015: 278.
Bike thefts: 59 in 2025 (+26% from 2024). Shoplifting: 81 (−12% from 2024).
Per 1,000 residents in 2025: 10.5 in Menlo Park, 9.5 across San Mateo County and 8.9 statewide.
On the map: 349 reports in 2024, and 230 in 2025 through September 8.

What the City offers: register your bike

Vandalism68 in 2025, −36% from 2024

Damage to property, such as broken windows or graffiti.

The state’s yearly counts leave vandalism out, so these are the department’s: 101 in 2023, 107 in 2024, 68 in 2025.
On the map: 84 reports in 2024, and 56 in 2025 through September 8.
Since 2018, the map has shown from 51 vandalism reports a year, in 2023, to 90, in 2019.

Robberies11 in 2025, +3 from 2024

Taking something from a person by force or threat, such as a mugging or a holdup.

Since 1985: highest 80, in 1991; lowest 6, in 2015. Ten years earlier, in 2015: 6.
Of 2025’s 11: 5 with no weapon (force or threats alone), 4 with a gun and 2 with another weapon. Where: 4 at homes, 3 at gas stations, 2 on the street, 1 at other businesses and 1 elsewhere.
Per 1,000 residents in 2025: 0.33 in Menlo Park, 0.43 across San Mateo County and 0.94 statewide.
On the map: 11 reports in 2024, and 7 in 2025 through September 8.

Assaults48 serious in 2025, −9% from 2024

Serious (aggravated) assaults are attacks with a weapon, or that cause or could cause serious injury. The state counts only these.

Since 1985: highest 168, in 1987; lowest 13, in 2016. Ten years earlier, in 2015: 17.
Simple assaults, without a weapon or serious injury, from the department’s own summaries: 75 in 2023, 81 in 2024, 70 in 2025.
Serious assaults went from 24 in 2021 to 72 in 2022, the year the department switched reporting systems; compare across that line with care.
Of 2025’s 48 serious assaults: 22 with another weapon, 22 with hands, fists or feet and 4 with a knife; none with a gun.
Per 1,000 residents in 2025: 1.4 in Menlo Park, 1.5 across San Mateo County and 3.0 statewide.
On the map: 58 reports in 2024, and 28 in 2025 through September 8.

Shootings2 in 2024, −1 from 2023

Reports of a shooting, or of shots fired at an occupied home, building or car, that ended in a police report or an arrest.

Shooting reports by year: 1 in 2018, 1 in 2019, 1 in 2020, 12 in 2021, 6 in 2022, 3 in 2023, 2 in 2024 and none in 2025 through September 8, when the City’s published calls end.
The state counts no shootings of their own (a shooting is counted as a homicide or a serious assault), so these are every shooting report in the City’s police calls.
On the map: 2 reports in 2024, and 0 in 2025 through September 8.
In the state’s 2025 counts for Menlo Park, 4 robberies and no serious assault involved a gun.

Homicides0 in 2025, same as 2024

Murders and other killings that were not accidents or self-defense (murder and non-negligent manslaughter), as the state counts them.

The state counted no homicides in Menlo Park from 2019 through 2025; the last was in 2018.
Since 1985, the most in one year was 5, in 1994.
San Mateo County counted 5 in 2025; California, 1,374.
On the map: 0 reports in 2024, and 0 in 2025 through September 8.

Rapes1 in 2025, −9 from 2024

Rapes, including attempts.

Since 2014 the state has counted them under a broader definition, which raised the count.
Since 1985: highest 16, in 2019; lowest 1, in 2025. Ten years earlier, in 2015: 9.
Per 1,000 residents in 2025: 0.03 in Menlo Park, 0.27 across San Mateo County and 0.33 statewide.

What the police told the council in May

Police Chief Dave Norris reported to the City Council on public safety on May 12, 2026. These four numbers come from his slides (a PDF, attached to the meeting’s minutes):

20% fewercrimes against people, such as assaults, from 2022 to 2025

14% fewerproperty crimes from 2022 to 2025, a bigger drop than the national trend

204 → 130burglaries a year, 2023 to 2025: fewer each year

45% longeraverage police response time since 2022; the most urgent calls held steady

From 2022 to 2025, crimes against people, such as assaults, fell 20%, and property crimes, such as theft, burglary and vandalism, fell 14%. The department said the drop in property crime was bigger than the national trend, and credited the declines to data-informed deployment, prevention and work with the community.

The department groups crimes differently from the state’s yearly counts in the year-by-year chart above: its property crimes also include vandalism and fraud, for example, and its crimes against people include simple assaults and threats. So its percentages differ from the chart’s.

How quickly police respond

Average police response times rose from 18 to 19 minutes in 2022 and 2023 to about 27 minutes in 2025, up 45% since 2022. For the most urgent calls (Priority 1), response times stayed stable, within about 45 seconds either way, the department reported. The number of calls stayed flat all four years.

minutes

18.51921.252776.757.757.752022202320242025

2022Average police response timeAll calls: 18.5 minutesMost urgent calls (Priority 1): 7 minutes

2023Average police response timeAll calls: 19 minutesMost urgent calls (Priority 1): 6.75 minutes

2024Average police response timeAll calls: 21.25 minutesMost urgent calls (Priority 1): 7.75 minutes

2025Average police response timeAll calls: 27 minutesMost urgent calls (Priority 1): 7.75 minutes

Average response time for all calls, in minutes: 18.5 in 2022, 19 in 2023, 21.25 in 2024 and 27 in 2025. For the most urgent calls: 7 in 2022, 6.75 in 2023, 7.75 in 2024 and 7.75 in 2025.Average minutes from call to arrival, from the chief’s May 12 slides; 36 to 37 calls a day each year.

The department said the rise reflects how many officers are free, not more demand. Most calls come in between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Most need two officers, for safety. A patrol shift has four officers and a supervisor, so two calls at once can tie up the whole shift. And a shortage of fully trained officers left fewer units free at the busiest hours. It said a formal staffing study could show whether the current setup fits what the community expects.

Officers and hiring

In 2020, the department’s sworn officer positions were cut from 54 to 44. Today it has 73 positions in all, 47 of them sworn officers, and 65% of officers work patrol. That is 1.45 officers per 1,000 residents, using a population of 32,500, which the department said is in line with the region. As of May, six officer positions were open; three new officers were in field training, and one more recruit was set to start the police academy in June.

−40%

−30%

−20%

−10%

+10%

+20%

+30%

19911995200020052010201520202025

1991Change since 1991Officers: 42Civilian staff: 22Residents: 28,517

1992Change since 1991Officers: 42 (same as 1991)Civilian staff: 21 (−4%)Residents: 28,723 (+1%)

1993Change since 1991Officers: 46 (+10%)Civilian staff: 20 (−9%)Residents: 29,076 (+2%)

1994Change since 1991Officers: 49 (+17%)Civilian staff: 20 (−9%)Residents: 29,158 (+2%)

1995Change since 1991Officers: 46 (+10%)Civilian staff: 20 (−9%)Residents: 29,535 (+4%)

1996Change since 1991Officers: 47 (+12%)Civilian staff: 20 (−9%)Residents: 29,614 (+4%)

1997Change since 1991Officers: 49 (+17%)Civilian staff: 23 (+5%)Residents: 29,877 (+5%)

1998Change since 1991Officers: 49 (+17%)Civilian staff: 20 (−9%)Residents: 30,297 (+6%)

1999Change since 1991Officers: 52 (+24%)Civilian staff: 20 (−9%)Residents: 30,490 (+7%)

2000Change since 1991Officers: 53 (+26%)Civilian staff: 20 (−9%)Residents: 30,717 (+8%)

2001Change since 1991Officers: 53 (+26%)Civilian staff: 21 (−4%)Residents: 30,848 (+8%)

2002Change since 1991Officers: 54 (+29%)Civilian staff: 22 (same as 1991)Residents: 30,786 (+8%)

2003Change since 1991Officers: 48 (+14%)Civilian staff: 17 (−23%)Residents: 30,583 (+7%)

2004Change since 1991Officers: 48 (+14%)Civilian staff: 17 (−23%)Residents: 30,507 (+7%)

2005Change since 1991Officers: 46 (+10%)Civilian staff: 19 (−14%)Residents: 30,355 (+6%)

2006Change since 1991Officers: 47 (+12%)Civilian staff: 19 (−14%)Residents: 30,489 (+7%)

2007Change since 1991Officers: 51 (+21%)Civilian staff: 21 (−4%)Residents: 30,732 (+8%)

2008Change since 1991Officers: 47 (+12%)Civilian staff: 22 (same as 1991)Residents: 31,207 (+9%)

2009Change since 1991Officers: 48 (+14%)Civilian staff: 25 (+14%)Residents: 31,688 (+11%)

2010Change since 1991Officers: 48 (+14%)Civilian staff: 25 (+14%)Residents: 31,986 (+12%)

2011Change since 1991Officers: 47 (+12%)Civilian staff: 23 (+5%)Residents: 32,288 (+13%)

2012Change since 1991Officers: 47 (+12%)Civilian staff: 19 (−14%)Residents: 32,603 (+14%)

2013Change since 1991Officers: 46 (+10%)Civilian staff: 20 (−9%)Residents: 32,733 (+15%)

2014Change since 1991Officers: 46 (+10%)Civilian staff: 21 (−4%)Residents: 32,701 (+15%)

2015Change since 1991Officers: 45 (+7%)Civilian staff: 20 (−9%)Residents: 32,946 (+16%)

2016Change since 1991Officers: 47 (+12%)Civilian staff: 20 (−9%)Residents: 32,870 (+15%)

2017Change since 1991Officers: 43 (+2%)Civilian staff: 18 (−18%)Residents: 34,525 (+21%)

2018Change since 1991Officers: 45 (+7%)Civilian staff: 21 (−4%)Residents: 34,630 (+21%)

2019Change since 1991Officers: 48 (+14%)Civilian staff: 23 (+5%)Residents: 34,437 (+21%)

2020Change since 1991Officers: 42 (same as 1991)Civilian staff: 15 (−32%)Residents: 34,178 (+20%)

2021Change since 1991Officers: 42 (same as 1991)Civilian staff: 16 (−27%)Residents: 33,612 (+18%)

2022Change since 1991Officers: 42 (same as 1991)Civilian staff: 15 (−32%)Residents: 32,970 (+16%)

2023Change since 1991Officers: 45 (+7%)Civilian staff: 16 (−27%)Residents: 32,920 (+15%)

2024Change since 1991Officers: 42 (same as 1991)Civilian staff: 18 (−18%)Residents: 33,266 (+17%)

2025Change since 1991Officers: 43 (+2%)Civilian staff: 16 (−27%)Residents: 33,326 (+17%)

Change since 1991. Full-time officers on the payroll: 42 in 1991, 54 in 2002, the most, and 43 in 2025, up 2%. Full-time civilian staff: 22 in 1991, 25 in 2009, the most, and 16 in 2025, down 27%. Residents: 28,517 in 1991, 34,630 in 2018, the most, and 33,326 in 2025, up 17%.Full-time staff on the payroll each October 31: officers went from 42 in 1991 to 43 in 2025, and civilian staff from 22 to 16. These are people employed, not budgeted positions. Residents went from about 28,500 to 33,300.

Spending on police

millions of dollars

2007-082012-132018-192024-25

2007-08Police spendingAdjusted for inflation: $20.0 million, $641 per residentAs spent: $12.5 million, $400 per resident

2008-09Police spendingAdjusted for inflation: $21.1 million, $664 per residentAs spent: $13.4 million, $422 per resident

2009-10Police spendingAdjusted for inflation: $21.1 million, $658 per residentAs spent: $13.5 million, $423 per resident

2010-11Police spendingAdjusted for inflation: $31.5 million, $975 per resident. Includes a one-time pension payoff.As spent: $20.6 million, $637 per resident

2011-12Police spendingAdjusted for inflation: $20.8 million, $638 per residentAs spent: $14.0 million, $429 per resident

2012-13Police spendingAdjusted for inflation: $20.1 million, $613 per residentAs spent: $13.8 million, $423 per resident

2013-14Police spendingAdjusted for inflation: $20.1 million, $615 per residentAs spent: $14.2 million, $434 per resident

2014-15Police spendingAdjusted for inflation: $20.6 million, $626 per residentAs spent: $15.0 million, $454 per resident

2015-16Police spendingAdjusted for inflation: $21.4 million, $651 per residentAs spent: $15.9 million, $485 per resident

2016-17Police spendingAdjusted for inflation: $21.8 million, $633 per residentAs spent: $16.8 million, $487 per resident

2017-18Police spendingAdjusted for inflation: $22.5 million, $649 per residentAs spent: $17.9 million, $516 per resident

2018-19Police spendingAdjusted for inflation: $23.0 million, $669 per residentAs spent: $19.1 million, $553 per resident

2019-20Police spendingAdjusted for inflation: $23.3 million, $681 per residentAs spent: $19.7 million, $576 per resident

2020-21Police spendingAdjusted for inflation: $21.3 million, $632 per residentAs spent: $18.4 million, $547 per resident

2021-22Police spendingAdjusted for inflation: $21.1 million, $640 per residentAs spent: $19.1 million, $579 per resident

2022-23Police spendingAdjusted for inflation: $23.1 million, $701 per residentAs spent: $21.9 million, $666 per resident

2023-24Police spendingAdjusted for inflation: $22.7 million, $683 per residentAs spent: $22.2 million, $668 per resident

2024-25Police spendingAdjusted for inflation: $24.6 million, $738 per residentAs spent: $24.6 million, $738 per resident

Police spending each fiscal year from 2007-08 to 2024-25, adjusted for inflation to 2024-25 dollars: $20.0 million in 2007-08, $31.5 million in 2010-11 with a one-time pension payoff, and $24.6 million in 2024-25. As spent: $12.5 million in 2007-08 and $24.6 million in 2024-25.The City’s audited police spending each fiscal year, July to June. After inflation it rose 23%, from $20.0 million in 2007-08 to $24.6 million in 2024-25, or $641 to $738 per resident. The 2010-11 spike was a one-time pension payoff. The 2025-26 budget is $28.1 million; budgets run a little above actual spending.

The department said it faces significant challenges in hiring and training. From 2021 to 2026, 439 people applied, 297 were interviewed, 76 went through background checks and 30 were hired. About half of those hired completed training, which the department said is not unlike national trends. Each trainee who does not finish starts a new 12- to 14-month process to fill the job. The department is reviewing its recruiting, the police academy and its field training program.

Chief Norris plans to retire at the end of 2026, after five years leading the department, and the city has hired a recruiting firm to find his successor (The Almanac, July 14, 2026).

Police technology

What the department has added, what it is testing and what it wants to study, from its May report to the council.

In use since 2014Body camerasWorn by every police employee working in the community.
Added since 2021Dash camerasMounted in patrol cars.
Replaced since 2021RadiosAging radios replaced. The dispatch center’s matching equipment is done or nearly done.
Upgraded since 2021TasersReplaced with newer models.
Since 2021Digital evidence toolsFor handling digital evidence in complex investigations.
32 of 35 cameras up in 2025License plate readersFixed cameras that read passing plates. The data is kept 30 days and shared only within California.How they work
PilotCamera trailersMobile CCTV trailers with flashing blue lights, placed at hot spots.
Not funded yetDispatch networkThe old line into the dispatch center can give trouble in bad weather. The department expects replacing it to be expensive and slow.
Under studyDronesFor search and rescue, collision scenes and crimes in progress. Staff would come back to the council before starting a program.
Under studyInvestigative software and AITools that pull evidence together across systems, weighed against ethics, privacy and the City’s coming AI guidelines.

How the license plate readers work

License plate readers are cameras that photograph passing vehicles and read their plates, recording the time and place. Under state law and the department’s policy, Menlo Park may share the data only with California state and local agencies, not with federal or out-of-state ones, and never for federal immigration enforcement. The data is deleted after 30 days unless it becomes evidence. The department’s Transparency Portal says the cameras read plates and vehicles, not faces or people, and lists which agencies have access.

What has happened since 2024

Oct. 8, 2024The council approves an agreement with Flock Safety for fixed license plate readers, 3–1 with one member absent. The department presented it as a two-year, renewable agreement for 35 cameras and search software, budgeted at $112,500 a year.
2025The department puts up 32 of the 35 cameras. After finding it had shared data with out-of-state agencies by mistake, it tightens its policy and removes all access from outside California, complying with SB 34, the state law on sharing this data, as of August 2025.
May 12, 2026The chief tells the council that an audit of 14,000 searches in 2025 found the department following its policy 99.97% of the time, with no misuse found. In 15 example cases from 2025, he said, the readers helped locate or recover 8 stolen vehicles, locate and arrest 6 wanted people, and resolve 3 major weapon-related incidents.
June 2026After learning that San Francisco police had suspended a regional law enforcement center’s access to their system following an audit, the department cuts off the same center’s access to Menlo Park’s data and audits its searches. Of 214,147 searches from February 2025 to June 2026, about 0.33% did not follow department policy, judging by the reason given for each. The department said those searches involved federal agencies, and that none referred to immigration enforcement or ICE.
July 9, 2026The department revokes all of its data-sharing agreements. To get access back, an agency must sign a new agreement to follow California law and to audit its own use from time to time.
Aug. 3, 2026The San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury publishes a review of license plate readers at all 17 law enforcement agencies in the county that use them. It finds progress, especially in ending sharing with other states, and gaps in written policies, audits and oversight of sharing within California. It asks the Menlo Park City Council to respond to six findings and six recommendations, among them: post the policy where people can easily find it; make audit reports show compliance with the law and the policy; put in writing which agencies may get access and when it ends; and, when the contract is renewed, add terms requiring the vendor to follow California law. The department said it is reviewing the report.
Aug. 11, 2026The department’s quarterly report to the council says it has added regular audits of outside agencies’ searches to its audits of its own. The first, covering April to June, reviewed 122,450 searches and found no signs of noncompliance; a review of 377 searches by its own officers found none either.
Oct. 1, 2026The department’s Transparency Portal lists six agencies with access to Menlo Park’s data, down from 242 California agencies in April: the police departments of East Palo Alto, San Mateo, South San Francisco and Tracy, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
Coming upUnder state law, the council must answer the grand jury’s report within 90 days of Aug. 3, finding by finding and recommendation by recommendation.

In nearby cities

Nearby cities have faced similar questions. Mountain View canceled its Flock contract after finding that out-of-state agencies had been given access; Palo Alto is having an outside firm audit its system; and Redwood City’s police chief said improper settings had allowed at least 99 searches of its network by other agencies and Flock employees (The Almanac, Aug. 27, 2026).

What the council asked for

Public safety is one of the council’s top priorities for the 2026–27 budget year, and after the chief’s presentation on May 12, it gave city staff five tasks, recorded in the approved minutes:

Study how many officers the department needs and how they are assigned.
Improve how officers are recruited, chosen and trained on the job.
Keep using data to prevent burglaries and other crimes, with highly visible and concentrated patrols, technology, and work with nearby agencies.
Support the department’s problem-solving police unit and code enforcement, for long-term problems.
Keep making targeted technology investments, and keep up the accountability measures.

What you can do

Emergency alerts. Sign up for SMC Alert, the county’s free emergency texts, emails and calls. The City uses it for urgent situations such as evacuations and missing people.
Police news. Get the daily police log by email or text, and police news by email, from the City’s subscription page.
Community Watch. Community Watch Groups are neighbors who work together on safety, with training and support from the police department.

Sources (36)

California Department of Justice, OpenJustice: Crimes and Clearances (including Arson), 1985–2025 (CSV) The chart; the long view in each type; homicides and rapes.
California Department of Justice, Crimes and Clearances: the data’s history and known limitations (PDF) How to compare years: the 2022 switch and the 2014 definition of rape.
City of Menlo Park open data, Calls for Service, 2018 to September 2025, with the City’s yearly archives The map and its counts; the shooting reports.
California Department of Justice, OpenJustice, Law Enforcement Personnel, 1991–2025 (CSV) The officers chart: full-time staff on the department’s payroll each October 31.
California Department of Finance, E-4 population estimates for cities, 1981 to 2026 Menlo Park’s population: the residents line on the officers chart, and the per-resident figures in Crime by type and police spending.
City of Menlo Park, Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, fiscal year 2024-25 (PDF) Police spending, 2015-16 to 2024-25: Schedule 4, the Public Safety line, pp. 230–231.
City of Menlo Park, Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, fiscal year 2016-17 (PDF) Police spending, 2007-08 to 2014-15, and the 2010-11 pension payoff (note 2): Schedule 4, p. 200.
California Department of Finance, consumer price index, fiscal-year averages (Excel) The San Francisco area’s index, to adjust police spending for inflation.
City of Menlo Park, adopted budget, fiscal year 2025-26 (PDF) The police budget for 2025-26, p. 15.
City of Menlo Park map server: streets with address ranges, address points and city limits (to place each report on the map)
Menlo Park Police Department, 2025 year-end crime summary (PDF) Vandalism and simple assaults, 2023 to 2025; the 2022 switch to the FBI’s newer reporting system.
Menlo Park Police Department, 2024 year-end crime summary (PDF)
Menlo Park Police Department, 2023 year-end crime summary (PDF)
City of Menlo Park, Crime statistics (yearly summaries, including simple assaults and the 2022 switch to NIBRS)
City Council, approved minutes of May 12, 2026, with Police Chief Dave Norris’s presentation “Public Safety in Menlo Park” attached (PDF; council direction on pages 2–3, slides from page 24) The four numbers; slides on crime p. 27, burglaries p. 28, response times p. 29, staffing and hiring pp. 31–32, technology and license plate readers pp. 33–35.
Staff Report #26-079-CC, “Provide direction on public safety priority for fiscal year 2026-27,” May 12, 2026 (PDF) Public safety as a council priority for 2026-27, p. 1; crime p. 2; burglaries pp. 2–3 and the table on p. 15; response times pp. 3–4; staffing p. 5 and hiring p. 6; technology and license plate readers p. 8.
Police department quarterly update, April–June 2026, Staff Report #26-129-CC, Aug. 11, 2026 (PDF) The June audit and the new sharing agreements, p. 4.
The same quarterly update, in the City’s Spanish version (PDF)
City Council, approved minutes of Oct. 8, 2024: the Flock Safety agreement (PDF; cost slide on page 13)
Menlo Park Police Policy 462, Automated License Plate Readers, as posted Sept. 1, 2026 (PDF) No sharing for immigration enforcement, p. 1; data kept 30 days, p. 4; California agencies only, p. 5.
Flock Safety, Menlo Park Police Transparency Portal (read Oct. 1, 2026) The agencies with access.
San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury, “Is Our Flock of ALPR Cameras Properly Tended?”, Aug. 3, 2026 (PDF) Searches by other agencies, p. 12; findings and recommendations, pp. 16–17; the 90-day response, p. 18.
San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury, press advisory on the report, Aug. 3, 2026 (PDF)
The Almanac, Aug. 27, 2026 (updated Sept. 2): Menlo Park overhauls license plate reader sharing after discovering more improper searches The readers since June, and the nearby cities.
The Almanac, July 14, 2026: Menlo Park police chief says he’ll retire in December
City of Menlo Park, Police technology (body cameras, mobile CCTV pilot, license plate readers)
City of Menlo Park, Contact the Police Department The phone numbers in Report a crime.
City of Menlo Park, File a police report online What can and can’t be reported online, in Report a crime.
City of Menlo Park, Report a problem with ACT Menlo Park The street-problems row in Report a crime.
City of Menlo Park, Emergency alerts
County of San Mateo, SMC Alert
City of Menlo Park, Police daily logs and news (email and text sign-up)
City of Menlo Park, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (security reviews)
City of Menlo Park, Camera registry program
City of Menlo Park, Register a bike
City of Menlo Park, Community Watch Group

How the map was made: the City’s open data lists each call to the police with its type, date and block (such as the 500 block of El Camino Real) or intersection. The map keeps the calls about these crimes that ended in a report, an arrest or a citation. Each one is placed in the middle of its block on the City’s street map, not at a particular home, and reports on the same block are fanned out around that point. Not shown: fraud, drug calls, weapons calls other than shootings, threats and sex crimes. For the latest reports, the City posts a daily police log, kept online for 30 days.

Most official sources are in English; the City also published the Aug. 11 quarterly report in Spanish.

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