Home to just under 50,000 people, Cypress is a city with a comparatively low crime rate when contrasted with both the United States and the State of California. The crime rate, coupled with good schools, represent two of the most common reasons people give for living in Cypress. A considerable percentage of residents of the city are families with school-age children.

Major Cypress Crime Rate

As mentioned previously, Cypress has a relatively low crime rate. 2016 is the last year a full set of statistics regarding the Cypress crime rate is available:

  • Murder – 1
  • Rape – 6
  • Robbery – 22
  • Assault – 33

The homicide in Cypress in 2016 was the first crime of its kind in the city in five years. In fact, there have been 10 homicides reported in Cypress in the past dozen years.

At the end of December 2017, an attempted murder occurred in Cypress. The case involved a man who was gunned down in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the city. He was shot multiple times in the upper part of his body. Despite the multiple gun wounds, he did survive.

Two people, a man, and a woman were arrested for the attempted homicide. They were arrested no far from the crime scene.

Unsolved Murder in Cypress

There remains a notorious unsolved murder that occurred in Cypress. The case involves the July 14, 1981 death of 33-year old Paula Joy Pleshe. Pleshe was stabbed to death in the carport of her home in Cypress.

Even as of this date, the Cypress Police Department has been unable to establish a motive for the killing. The victim had no known enemies. In addition, she was neither sexually assaulted nor robbed.

Based on witness reports, police initially suspected to Latino males. One was thought to be about 40, the other about 20.

A person with information about this cold case can contact:

Cypress Police Department
5275 Orange Avenue
Cypress, California 90630
(714) 229-6600

California Victim Compensation Board

In the aftermath of a crime like Cypress cold case discussed a moment ago, family members or a landlord can be left with the task of undertaking crime scene cleanup. The general recommendation is that family members and landlord not undertake this type of task on their own. There are crime scene cleanup specialists who are highly trained to undertake this type of remediation at any crime scene, including a home, business, or automobile. There is an additional recommendation to see that crime scene cleanup commences as soon as possible following the release of the crime scene by the police and the Orange County Coroner.

Crime scene cleanup presents what can prove to be a physical as well as an emotionally challenging endeavor. On the physical side, the scene of a shooting or stabbing results in the presence of blood, bodily fluids, and other biological matter. These biological substances can contain harmful pathogens that can cause illness and even death in some instances.

In addition, losing a loved one through a violent crime is emotionally traumatic enough. The situation need not be made worse by having a loved one, or even a landlord, attempt a crime scene cleanup on his or her own.

Some Cypress residents might balk at the idea of paying for a professional crime scene cleanup specialist. They initially conclude that the cost associated with such assistance is going to be considerable.

In fact, the typical crime scene cleanup specialist charges a reasonable fee. In addition, a person facing this type of crime scene cleanup may be able to make a claim on a homeowner’s insurance or business insurance policy.

The California Victim Compensation Board may also be able to assist. The Board can allocate up to $1,000 to aid in crime scene cleanup. The Board can be contacted at:

P.O. Box 3036
Sacramento, CA 95812-3036
Phone: (800) 777-9229
Fax: (866) 902-8669
[email protected]

Counselors and Therapists for Crime Victims

Individuals who’ve lost loved ones because of violent crime may find themselves struggling with their grief. There are grief counselors and therapists that assist people in Cypress in these types of situations.

Straight Talk Clinic
5712 Camp Street
Cypress, California 90630
(949) 556-9893

New Day Psychotherapy Group
6101 Ball Road, Suite 304
Cypress, California 90630
(562) 376-2463

These practices offer an array of different types of services for a person grieving the loss of a loved one because of a violent crime. These include:

  • Individual counseling
  • Group therapy
  • Referral to a psychiatrist for medication support

In addition, these professionals can also assist with family counseling. The reality is that the aftermath of a violent crime can impact an entire family.