Crime Statistics

Rancho Santa Margarita has historically enjoyed a very low crime rate. For many years, we have had the lowest crime rate of any city in Orange County, and we are normally in the top 5 safest cities in the entire nation comparing cities with a population over 46,000.​​

​To ensure our community remains informed and engaged, the City of Rancho Santa Margarita is committed to providing yearly crime statistics, as compiled by the Department of Justice. By offering transparent access to this crucial information, we aim to keep our citizens updated on public safety trends and issues. This initiative underscores our dedication to fostering a secure and vigilant community, empowering residents with the knowledge they need to stay informed and involved in maintaining the safety and well-being of our city. We have only listed certain crimes, but if you would like to see the statistics for other crimes, please feel free to visit the DOJ website here: https://openjustice.doj.ca.gov/exploration/crime-statistics/crimes-clearances

Please contact police services at (949) 635-1830 if you have questions about the crime statistics.

2023 Crime Statistics

Crime Total Number of Reported Cases
Homicide 0
Forcible Rape 0
Robbery 4
Assault 18
Burglary (Residential) 11
Burglary (Non-Residential) 23
Larceny 157
Auto Theft 9
Crimes Total 222

Definitions

Below are basic definitions of the crimes listed above.
  • Homicide - The willful killing of one human being by another. Justifiable homicides and certain other deaths are excluded.
  • Forcible Rape - Unlawful sexual intercourse committed by a male against a female against her will.
  • Robbery - The unlawful taking of property from a person by means of force or fear.
  • Assault - An unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. Simple assaults are excluded.
  • Residential Burglary - The unlawful entry of a residential structure to commit a felony or theft.
  • Non-Residential Burglary - The unlawful entry of any structure, that is not a residence, to commit a felony or theft.
  • Larceny - Theft or the unlawful stealing of property from another. Auto thefts and fraud related crimes are excluded.
  • Auto Theft - The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle. Motorboats, construction equipment, airplanes, and farming equipment are excluded.