RIVERSIDE – (INT) – Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson documented five key areas in which Riverside is “Leveling Up” during her State of the City address.

Lock Dawson told attendees at the Riverside Convention Center Wednesday (January 28th) that crime is down, revenues are up, unemployment is down, jobs are up, existing businesses are expanding and new businesses are opening.

- Overall crime has dropped 35 percent during the past two years.
- About 96 percent of office space in Riverside is occupied
- Riverside Police Department RPD has reached full staffing for the first time in 25 years.
- Riverside attracted $4.3 billion in new construction in 2025 and created 18,000 new jobs
- Riverside is one of the top 11 cities nationally for installed solar capacity per capita

Riverside also is leveling up the city’s identity, both with residents and visitors.

“People feel connected here,” Lock Dawson said. “They love where they live. And they’re proud to call Riverside home.

Story Date: February 9, 2026