GALT, CA (MPG) - In presenting Galt Police Department’s annual report on March 19, Police Chief Brian Kalinowski detailed developments in the investigation of smash-and-grab burglaries that hit multiple businesses last year. He told Galt City Council that the department opened 12 cases related to the crimes and he put them in three categories.

The first set of cases was attributed to an “organized group” that targeted Velvet Grill & Creamery, T2 Yan Chinese Cuisine, El Rodeo restaurant, Galt Furniture and Ramos Jewelers. Kalinowski said three suspects were identified, two of whom are facing charges.

“Those folks were all over the place, including the Bay Area,” the police chief said.

The second set of cases involved Fancy Donuts, Café Latte, Flor de Dahlia and Zesty Yogurt, which he said were targeted by a “local group.”

“We could not prove (the suspects’ guilt) beyond a reasonable doubt,” Kalinowski said. “The (district attorney) would not file those cases but we closed those cases because we identified the suspects.”

The investigation of the third group is waiting on cellphone evidence, Kalinowski said.

 Those cases involve Jumping Frog Games, Family Dollar and Old Town Diner. 

He attributed those break-ins to the same group accused in the first group of burglaries.

Kalinowski said he responded to the crimes by having officers more thoroughly document their time on patrol. 

This caused “officer-initiated” activities to jump from 8,315 in 2022 to 14,153 in 2023.

“My direction to the staff was to be accounting for their time: When they’re in shopping centers, in front of buildings, talking to people, whatever that is, account for that time,” Kalinowski said.

Despite the string of smash-and-grabs, the overall number of burglaries changed little in 2023. Fifty-nine break-ins occurred last year, compared to 55 in 2022.

In other 2023 statistics, the department received 15,389 calls for service, performed 2,543 traffic stops, performed 387 misdemeanor arrests and 182 felony arrests, and issued 165 criminal citations.

Traffic collisions resulting in injuries decreased, from 55 in 2022 to 40 in 2023. 

The number of people who sustained minor injuries in crashes also dropped, from 75 in 2022 to 42 in 2023. There were 10 major injuries in 2023, compared to five in 2022; and one person died in a crash.

Officers issued 1,062 traffic citations, of which 659 were for moving violations.

The department’s recently formed partnership with Sacramento County — in which a county social worker accompanies the problem-oriented police officer on calls involving mental health — responded to 71 calls last year. 

Nine calls resulted in involuntary mental health holds; four resulted in a courtesy transport to mental health urgent care; and 12 resulted in a referral to community-based agency for further assistance.

The department “worked hard to fill openings” and improve retention in 2023, Kalinowski said.

“I don’t like betting against myself or my staff, and so our goal is to fill those positions … and keep the folks here,” he explained.

Kalinowski said the department has 39 sworn officers and three openings. Two more posts will open soon with one officer retiring and another leaving for another agency. He said covering for vacant positions increases overtime costs.

“I can’t emphasize enough that retention is the most important piece for us. It crushes us financially and from an organizational knowledge base when we lose staff,” Kalinowski said. 

“So one of my initiatives is to try to identify some long-term retention strategies for sworn officers because I really think there’s some probably inexpensive things we can do when you compare to the cost of the turnover and what we burn to get somebody back on board.”

Kalinowski said he would bring those plans before City Council at a later date.