Transcript State, Metro Crime Down

State, Metro Crime Down
Overall drop is 5%
…but Detroit still most violent of nation’s biggest cities
Mike Wilkinson
The Detroit News
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080916/METRO/809160377/1409/METRO
Crime was down in Michigan in 2007
• FBI released crime statistics Monday, Sep 15.
• Violent crimes across MI down last year by almost 5%, lowest
number since 2004.
• In Detroit, violent crimes were down 7% from 2006 numbers.
– Was down 13% in the first half of the year.
• Still a large gap between bigger and poorer cities and
suburban and rural communities:
– Detroit had 23 violent crimes per 1000 residents, suburbs averaged
under 4.
– Saginaw and Flint were even higher than Detroit.
• Largest drop was in auto theft, down more than 15%.
Huh?
• When the economy
falters, crime tends to
increase.
– Wayne’s own
chairman of criminal
justice, Eric Lambert:
“Most (of) the
information said it
would have
increased.”
• Lower home values,
higher foreclosure and
unemployment rates->
lower tax revenue->
decrease state and
local budgets.
– Detroit had 300 fewer
police officers in 2007
than in 2005.
Other
services
Y*
X-300
X*
Police
Explanations
• James Tate, Detroit Police spokesman
– When crime rates started increasing in the state in 2005 and 2006,
representatives from homicide, narcotics, gang unit and others within
the police department began meeting regularly to share information.
The idea was ‘a burglar on the east side today could be a drug dealer
on the west side tomorrow.’
– “Because of the strain of resources, we have to be a lot more creative.”
• Joseph Thomas, Southfield Police Chief
– The department can’t take all the credit. Neighborhood watch program
was a big help to combat crime.
• Peter Carr, Justice Department spokesman
– Attributes the decrease in crime rates at the national level to a
crackdown on gangs, drug dealers and gun crimes.
– Congress should give another $200 million
to keep up the good work!
Other ideas?
• MI’s struggling economy has caused people to
leave the state, including criminals?
• Police are making great use of federal support:
LESO program?
• Concealed weapons permit- fewer “easy
victims?”
Questions? Comments?