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Independent Voice

Christina Garcia Chases Crime Data

Jun 23, 2021 12:00AM ● By Debra Dingman

Christina Garcia is Dixon's new Police Services Analyst. Photo by Debra Dingman

“We have to make smart decisions based on data”

DIXON, CA (MPG) - From an interest in law enforcement inspired by watching television shows like Law & Order, America’s Most Wanted, and C.S.I., Christina Garcia climbed her way to a place she’s always wanted. She’s the new Police Services Analyst with her own office inside the Dixon Police Department.

Starting with the City of Dixon as a part-time Recreation Specialist and working part time in the after-school kids camps while going to college, she got her foot in the door, she said. Watching for opportunities, after graduating, she moved up to Recreation Coordinator, then Community Service Officer, then cross-trained in Code enforcement.

“Chief pushed for this position because he knew we needed it. We need the statistics to convince the need,” she said, referring to Chief Robert Thompson’s department overhaul to prepare for a “period of exceptional growth.”

“We have to make smart decisions based on data,” Thompson said. “We have to be leaner and more aggressive. We’ve never had to forecast before.” Some of the things that Garcia does is look for trends and activities on social media. If people in Fairfield and Vacaville have posted about robberies, for example, she can put out bulletins to Dixon’s officers as it will most likely happen here.

“Criminals have a tendency to do similar kinds of neighborhoods,” she explained. “We can put on extra patrols or watches. We can watch for information circulating in the county and we can start seeing the same kind of activity. My position will be very useful to the investigating unit. We can make sure we are fully staffed and have resources.”

Garcia said the biggest crime in Dixon right now is shoplifting.

“Our commercial is growing. A lot of people who commit crimes here don’t live in Dixon,” she said, adding that it’s too easy for thieves to hop on the freeway. But, with more surveillance—like the cameras on top of the intersection street lights, that gives them a head start by checking license plates and can help lead to arrests.

“We need more of this equipment or more officers on patrol,” she said and explained that with hard data, they can go to the city and get what they need to protect our citizens. Because Garcia is raising her family nearby, she has a vested interest in the community.

“Crime has evolved the way the city has evolved,” she said. “It used to be that everything was closed by 10 and it was a ‘silent night.’ But there are some ugly circumstances and the reality is things can happen. I’m a big believer in home surveillance. Even if [a crime] isn’t experienced directly, I might be able to help my neighbors.”

A big problem here is what Garcia calls ‘hometown mentality’ like not locking your doors on your home or your cars.

She reminded that people can register their security system—like ‘Ring,’ and even register their bicycles with the department which helps in recovery or solving crimes. You can even register an “at risk” grown-up or child so in the event they wander or become lost, the police can help get them back home. A recent call resulted in finding a woman with dementia, for example.

For questions or more information, contact the Dixon Police Department at (707) 678-7070 or email [email protected].