Logo courtesy of Dixon Police Department

DIXON, CA (MPG) – At the March 17 meeting of the Dixon City Council, Police Chief Robert Thompson presented the Dixon Police Department annual report. 

Chief Thompson said officers responded to 16,506 total incidents last year, with an overall average response time of 4 minutes and 33 seconds for priority calls. They also had the highest staffing levels ever in the history of the department. There are only a few vacant positions, and additional candidates are currently being processed. 

Comparing crime statistics year over year, 2025 saw an overall drop in serious offenses like burglary theft, assault and vandalism. At a 22 percent reduction, Thompson said this translated to almost 200 fewer crimes against persons and property in Dixon: “This didn’t happen by accident. … We can tie a direct correlation to the availability of police resources to investigate thoroughly and clear these crimes as they happen, and also to provide a deterrent factor because the presence of police is so prevalent.” 

Rates of drug offences, disorderly conduct and trespassing all increased last year, but Thompson said this is due to an increase in proactive enforcement and targeted patrols, not necessarily an increase in the actual rate of incidents. 

Thompson said there was one active homicide case last year, the first in eight years, but it was quickly cleared and submitted for prosecution. He said the department has an 85 percent clearance rate for serious crimes, which is much higher than average. 

The report also highlighted the drone team, school resource officers, the cadet program, the volunteer program, the mobile field force and the public safety training center. 

Mayor Steven Bird said, “I think it’s impressive that the more serious crimes have actually come down as our population increased, and that’s something you should be proud of.” 

The council also considered the 2025 General Plan Annual Progress Report, Housing Element Annual Progress Report and Housing Successor Agency Annual Report, which must be filed each year with the California Department of Housing and Community Development.

The Dixon General Plan 2040, adopted in 2021, guides physical development within the city and establishes a long-range vision for the community. The annual report outlines the city’s methods for implementing the General Plan goals, ensuring it continues to effectively guide growth, use of public funds, and the development, preservation and conservation of open space, land and natural resources. 

Staff highlighted successful implementation steps outlined in the plan, including updating the Housing Element in 2023 and updating the Zoning Ordinance in 2024. 

The council voted 4-0 to approve the report, with Councilmember Thom Bogue absent. 

Next, the council considered the appointment of retired annuitant Bruce Barrette to serve as the Interim Public Works Director. 

The position is vacant due to a recent retirement, and the city is moving forward with the recruitment process. But that process can take time to complete, so they need someone available now to manage operations in the Public Works Department, providing day-to-day leadership and supporting the department staff.

Barrette has extensive public works experience, and staff recommended him as the best candidate to fill the interim position. He will be paid $100 per hour, with a maximum of 960 hours per fiscal year.  

Barrette addressed the council and said he was looking forward to the opportunity to serve the city. The council voted 4-0 to approve the appointment. 

Finance Director Kate Zawadzki recommended council approve purchase agreements for two trailers from Mobile Modular. The trailers have been leased since 2022, with one in use at the police department firing range training facility and the other as the finance annex space near City Hall.

The additional office space has been essential in accommodating expanded staffing levels to maintain city services. And while the city initially thought the use would be temporary, there are no plans to expand city facilities, so the trailers will likely remain in use long term. 

In installation and lease costs so far, the city has paid $51,138 for the training facility trailer and $108,710 for the finance trailer. Zawadzki said that each year the lease rate increases to the updated cost of a new trailer, with annual increases expected between 10 to 20 percent.

Purchasing the training facility and finance trailers, at a cost not to exceed $84,500 and $158,800, respectively, will save the city money over time. Zawadzki recommended using reserve funds to cover to purchase cost. 

The council voted 4-0 to approve the purchases. 

The next meeting of the Dixon City Council is scheduled for April 7.