Valley-wide homicides down for 2025 so far, what are local departments doing to keep numbers down?
Athena Jreij
COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — Since last weeks homicide in Palm Springs, there have been 15 recorded homicides throughout the Coachella Valley for 2025. That number is right below 2024’s count of 16 homicides.
Around September of 2024, the number was also hovering around 15 homicides Valley-wide.
For cities like Palm Springs, their homicide numbers are trending down, with five homicides in 2024 and two recorded this year. But in places like Indio, the figure rose this year, from one in 2024 to five this year.
At PSPD, Lt. Gustavo Araiza says homicides can be unpredictable, but the department makes an effort to get ahead of the crimes by working with communities.
“If we have an individual that is bothering somebody or harassing, and it doesn’t rise to the elements of stalking or terrorist threats, we look into that individual and dig down a little deeper, or figure out if they’re in possession of any weapons. Then we can pursue the opportunity of maybe getting a gun violence restraining order and securing those weapons,” Araiza said.
For gang-violence, Araiza says the department has special enforcement units.
“What they are is detectives, and they’re tasked with going out there and really getting to know the communities. So individuals or neighborhoods that might be impacted by violent crime, identifying people within that community that might be involved in that, and then, actually, stopping them when they have the opportunity to.”
At Indio PD, Sgt. Ryan Kitchens says the department is taking full advantage of technology to stop crimes before they start.
“We’re embracing the technology that we have at our disposal. There’s a lot of new technology that the city has implemented and authorized us to use or purchase for us, like the lock cameras. It’s been vital to helping us not only solve crimes, but help deter them as well,” Kitchens said.
Officials say they’re also reliant on the community to catch crime before it happens.
“If you see something, say something, and that’s something we can follow up on.”
For more information on last years crime trends, visit: 2024: Year in Review – Crime in the Coachella Valley.