Citing a growing teenage population and possibly the sluggish
economy, law enforcement officials are reporting a slight increase
in local crime.
”
We’re seeing a few increases, but not to the level the state
has,
”
San Benito County Sheriff Curtis Hill said.
Citing a growing teenage population and possibly the sluggish economy, law enforcement officials are reporting a slight increase in local crime.
“We’re seeing a few increases, but not to the level the state has,” San Benito County Sheriff Curtis Hill said.
The final crime statistics for 2002 are not yet available, but Hill said there has been no significant increase in violent crimes and only a moderate increase in property crimes such as burglary or theft.
Hill cited several possible reasons for the overall increase.
“Much of it is probably attributed to the economy,” he said.
With the recent economic downturn, some people are looking for other ways – often criminal – to make money, Hill said. Another factor may be because an increase in the teenage population, he said.
“We’re seeing a bigger block of teenagers who were born in 1989 or 1990 coming through,” Hill said. “If you consider that about 8 percent of the teens are responsible for about 80 percent of the vandalism and burglary crimes we see.”
The larger number of youths in the county’s general population could lead to an increase in those types of crimes, Hill said. But he credited support from local political leaders in helping law enforcement efforts.
“I’ve received good support from the Board of Supervisors, and I know the police chief has received good support from the city,” he said.
While the county’s overall crime rate has increased slightly, Hill said it is still below the statewide increase.
The preliminary figures from the state report indicated that crime in California’s most populous cities and counties rose 3.8 percent from 2001 to 2002, with property crimes increasing by 6 percent.
The preliminary report examined the number of major crimes reported in 78 cities and unincorporated areas of counties with populations of 100,000 or more, which account for about 65 percent of the state’s crime.
Statewide increases were reported for five of the six major crimes that make up the California Crime Index. According to the report, homicides were up 10.8 percent, forcible rape up 2.9 percent, robbery up 3.7 percent, burglary up 3.4 percent and motor vehicle theft up 8.7 percent.
However, other crimes, such as aggravated assault, decreased 2.3 percent in 2002, according to the state report.
State Attorney General Bill Lockyer said in the report that with crime slightly up over the previous year, local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors will rely more on free forensic services provided by the 10 crime labs throughout the state and the DNA lab in Richmond.
Also, Lockyer renewed his request to continue full funding of the DOJ labs, and to drop a budget proposal that would require local agencies to pay a “fee for service.”
Based on the average use since 2000, Lockyer estimated that the proposal would cost local agencies $3.5 million in fiscal year 2003-2004, and $7.1 million in 2004-2005 for evidence examination and analysis.
“No matter how cash-strapped law enforcement agencies may be, they all deserve and require first-rate forensic services,” Lockyer said in a written statement. “The ability to protect the public, solve crimes and successfully prosecute criminals should not be blocked by budget woes.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
