It was no coincidence that Seaside police delivered their annual report at the May meeting, with Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15.

“Our law enforcement officers are the guardians of life and property; defenders of the individual right to be free; warriors in the battle against crime; and are dedicated to the preservation of life and property,” Mayor Jay Barber wrote in the proclamation read by Police Chief Dave Ham.

The 2021 end-of-year report showed the rising response level and expanded roles of Seaside’s police department, with almost 10,000 calls for service in 2021, up 3% from 2020 and a 5% increase from 2017.

Those calls could be anything from a criminal report to a log entry and a response to a dog barking, Ham said.

Total traffic stops increased 17%, to 2,856, though infractions dipped 18%, 230 accidents were reported, up from 173 in 2020.

Of more serious crimes, the city recorded 136 assaults, 27 burglaries and 13 motor vehicle thefts. Larceny increased 7% year to year, with 332 in 2021. Police made 33 drug law arrests, down 13% from 2021.

Of misdemeanor crimes, there were 43 charges for driving while under the influence of intoxicants and 260 disorderly conduct arrests.

The city recorded more than 700 responses for homelessness and 570 mental health contacts in 2021.

The city will often work with county agencies prior to making an arrest, Ham said. “If we’ve got somebody in crisis needing help, that is really something that may not very well be a police issue,” he said.

The department — nine full-time patrol officers and eight communications personnel — operated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Most of our services offered were operational with some limitations,” Ham said. “Our lobby remained closed with the exception of some short in person business occurring within the building, while maintaining social distancing and mask use. Our patrol operations continued with little negative impact to our community.”

Officer Evan Edwards and Officer Justin Gagnon each earned promotions to corporal.

The department hired Jason Johnson as a patrol officer and Paul Knoch as community service officer.

“Both are working in a solo capacity and we are again excited to have them on,” Ham said.

The city’s proclamation also paid tribute to Jason Goodding, the Seaside police sergeant killed in 2016 in the line of duty, and marked the “valor, service, and dedication of all police officers.”