It’s tough to draw conclusions from crime stats — even experts come to differing conclusions.
So how much yank do statistics have from one year to the next? How many years should be reviewed to identify trends and so on? What do the numbers really tell us?
For example, the number of murders is a much smaller number than many categories, so a few more murders can indicate a large percentage change. And an increase in sexual assaults could mean there are more women stepping forward to report the crime.
Nonetheless we appreciate the statistics and analysis each year. The recent decrease in murder is categorically great news. An increase in rape has the media buzzing and rightly so. And it seems there is a decrease in auto theft, which may be due to a deterrent effect of more advanced electronic tracking technology in cars that make thieves easier to track. More and more advanced use of DNA has also been a big story in crime fighting the past decade. Nice work.
So the stats are important.
We urge readers to read and learn more about these various types of crime and take it one step further by heeding the advice of experts about how to be safe and smart.
But what else can readers do?
Here’s our advice. Be a supporter of community policing. This involves working with police in your area, whether it is part of a formal program or not.
We strongly buy into focusing on so-called “broken window crimes,” which means to address smaller crimes because they lead to bigger crimes.
How does that work?
If there is graffiti in your neighborhood, paint over it, put up cameras, help police find the culprits and make them pay. When people get the message that they can’t get away with the small stuff they won’t move along into felony territory.
Unfortunately what we prevent doesn’t show up in the stats, but the selfless and immeasurable work is so important. So let’s do it.