March 11 Daily Briefing: Crime stats, Section 14 residents sought, transportation survey, and more

Welcome to Tuesday, everyone! We recently told you about the birth of two eagle chicks up in the Big Bear area that caught our attention, and, we learned, yours as well. But wait, there’s more! Jackie and Shadow’s third chick popped out of its eggshell early Saturday morning, and one Post reader reported yesterday that she was fortunate enough to see the moment via the live nest cam launched by Friends of Big Bear Valley. We’re not quite sure what the appropriate gift is, but we assume an ounce or two of raw meat would be appreciated. We just need to look up their address …

🎶 Setting the mood: “Highwayman” by Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson

LEADING OFF

Palm Springs crime stats show mixed trends in 2024

Crime in Palm Springs showed a mixed picture for 2024. Overall, incidents were down slightly, but due to how the data was recorded, some violent offenses appear to be on the rise.

Driving the news: The Palm Springs Police Department released its 2024 crime statistics to The Post recently, revealing shifts in various offense categories compared to the previous year. 

• The total number of reported offenses dropped from 2,330 in 2023 to 2,288 in 2024, according to the data reported to the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).

By the numbers: In 2023, the city did not record any homicides, and in 2024 it recorded five. Sex offenses more than doubled, the data shows, jumping from 30 to 61 cases. Burglaries were down from 278 to 179 — a 35% decrease. Larceny theft — the unlawful taking of property — dropped from 1,158 to 1,111.

• Some assaults saw a dramatic spike on paper — with overall assaults showing an increase from 177 to 635 — but those numbers do not accurately reflect reality.

At issue: “There is a shift between Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) as all police departments did for decades and National Incident Based Reporting (NIBRS),” Police Chief Andy Mills said. “UCR reported one incident if a person shot at a group of people. Now NIBRS counts each person in the crime data.”

• One example the police chief noted was that aggravated assaults (serious incidents that led to injury) actually decreased from 178 to 172 in 2024, but that fact is not reflected in the data that was supplied. 

Looking ahead: Mills said his department will dig deeper into the data, hoping to better understand the increases in certain violent crime categories and the reasons behind the decrease in property crimes.

• “It may take some time to get year-over-year comparison data,” Mills said, “but the reality is this will be a better system to understand crime and how to reduce it.”

Dive deeper with our complete story

BRIEFLY

🏠 Former Section 14 residents sought for possible settlement funds

Former residents of Palm Springs’ Section 14 who lost their homes through city-led demolitions between 1956 and 1966 may be eligible for monetary compensation under a new settlement agreement between the city and Section 14 Survivors, Inc.

• To qualify, individuals must verify they lived within the one-square-mile area bounded by Indian Canyon Drive, Alejo Road, Sunrise Way and Ramon Road during the specified period and experienced home destruction due to city actions.
  
• Acceptable documentation includes birth certificates, school records showing a Section 14 address, or other paperwork verifying residency in the area. Officials emphasized that eligibility determinations will not be based on any protected class status.
  
• Bottom line: Documentation must be submitted within 30 days to pssection14@gmail.com or mailed to the address at this website, with officials noting that submission does not guarantee payment as other requirements may apply.

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TODAY’S FEATURED EVENTS

Desert X
The fifth edition of Desert X, the recurring site-specific, international art exhibition is open now through May 11. The exhibition will reflect on the desert’s deep time evolutions, challenging us to glean wisdom from its vast knowledge.  Find the map of installations on the Desert X website.

Blood Drive
9 a.m. until 3 p.m. | O’Donnell Golf Club
Hosted by O’Donnell Golf Club and Committee of Twenty Five, this blood donation drive runs through 3 p.m. Check out the flyer here.

ONE-PS Monthly Meeting
4:30 p.m. | Online and in-person
The Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs (ONE-PS) holds its monthly meeting to discuss neighborhood issues with city council members, public safety officers, and others.

Melba Miller’s Jazz Oasis
5:30 p.m. | Cultural Center
Join songstress Melba Miller and special guests for an evening dedicated to serious listeners and lovers of Jazz. ($22)

Fierce Femmes!
6:30 p.m. | Online
Hosted by The Center, this support group provides a safe and inclusive space for individuals who identify as transfeminine to come together, share experiences, offer support, and build a sense of community. Register by emailing Esther Loewen at esther@thecentercv.org.

See all events here

SAVE THE DATE

• Into the Abstrakt 2025 Spring Exhibition Opening at Janssen Artspace on Friday.
  
• Saint Paw-Tricks Adoption Weekend on Saturday and Sunday.
  
• Movies in the Park: “Hook” at Downtown Park on March 18. 
  
• Palm Springs Drone Fest at Palm Springs High School starting March 21. ($25)
  
• Brothers of the Desert 6th Annual Wellness Summit at the Riviera Resort on March 22. ($25 suggested donation)
  
• Palm Springs 70mm Film Fest at the Cultural Center starting March 22. ($18)
  
• Rescheduled: AbbaFab Rock the Park Concert at the Downtown Park on March 26.
  
• Palm Springs Woman’s Club Annual Scholarship Event Dinner at Palm Springs Surf Club on March 26. ($125)
  
• Free Shredding Event at the Palm Springs Convention Center on April 5.
  
• World Art Day at Demuth Park on April 12.
  
• PS Gay Men’s Chorus “Disney Pride In Concert“ starting April 24. ($35)

Submit your event here

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AND FINALLY …

A new valley-wide survey is looking for residents to provide more information about how they get around town and what could be improved.

Driving the news: The Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) is developing the Coachella Valley Regional Miles Traveled (VMT) Study to learn more about how residents traverse the valley and find out what’s missing from the current transit options.

The goal: CVAG said it wants to make walking, biking, and public transit more accessible for everyone.

Here’s how: Some of the solutions CVAG offers include things like better transit options, safer bike routes, and incentives for building near transit.

What to expect: The survey asks about priorities when it comes to transit, like cost, convenience, and safety. Other questions ask users to rate their interest in using different modes of transportation like walking or riding the bus and to detail barriers to using transit.

Details: CVAG is also hosting two virtual public meetings on the topic, one in English and one in Spanish on March 20 and March 25 respectively. Check out the online survey here.