North Coast Journal cover story: Are crime rates really on the rise in Humboldt?

◼ Conflicting Reports - Thadeus Greenson/The Journal

People seem to think violence is on the rise in Humboldt, but is it?

”Property crime has gone up 32 percent, burglaries inside buildings are up 119 percent, vehicle burglaries are up 20 percent, and auto theft is up 61 percent -- these are shocking numbers”

◼ Spike in crime; local law enforcement looks to close communication gaps in Humboldt County - Cora Vay/The Times-Standard

Local law enforcement are looking at using a nearly $123,000 grant to combat a spike in burglaries and property crimes by purchasing software that would allow officers and deputies in different parts of Humboldt County to share information about criminal activity and wanted suspects.

Since the rollout of Gov. Jerry Brown's prison realignment plan in 2011, jail officials have been shouldering the responsibility of holding serious criminals for longer periods of time instead of sending them to state prison. With fewer beds available, a larger number of offenders have been released from jail and into programs like post-release supervision.

”Property crime has gone up 32 percent, burglaries inside buildings are up 119 percent, vehicle burglaries are up 20 percent, and auto theft is up 61 percent -- these are shocking numbers,” Arcata Police Chief Tom Chapman said.

Officials will begin to evaluate the feasibility of using data-sharing software to store all police activity and expand access to information by different jurisdictions, Chapman said.

”We all, essentially, are on our own records and management system. If the sheriff is investigating a series of thefts happening outside the city, we wouldn't know about it,” Chapman said. “There is certainly some communication, but not enough. With data sharing, we can connect dots we weren't able to before.”
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No grant in the world is going to help you when criminals know nothing is going to happen to them. Your car burgled? You're mailed a form to fill out. Say the drug dealer gets busted, endures a couple days in jail and he's back out - they know, no one is going to do anything. Cops know, there's no point in even busting 'em, and, in many cases, in even arresting them.

Crime stats come up during the elections, and reporters have allowed Gallegos to skate on his responsibility. Now it's worse, because the craven legislators are looking to brush off state responsibilities.

It's past the point of being fixable. Grants make nice press, but it's the least efficient use of money, pennies on the dollar after it passes through the state middlemen. What a tragedy.

Smelling the coffee

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"OUR STEETS ARE DANGEROUS. ...This is a basic fact. Our streets and our communities are starting to look very dangerous."

"The police have their hands full. Arguments that involve guns or knives or bats. Armed robberies. Stolen vehicles. High-speed chases. Drug houses that turn up arsenals of weapons. And far too many shootings. ...What is going to be done to bring back a community we can once again feel safe in?

But, but, but - I thought CRIME WAS DOWN! "We are safer as a community with Paul Gallegos as our District Attorney. ...Paul Gallegos has a vision for a safer, more just future for Humboldt County. ...Public safety is our District Attorney's number one priority, and he has proven to us that he is dedicated to that vision."

The Times Standard endorsed Gallegos because "...he was elected to bring change to the DA's office, and that he's done. He appears more concerned over prosecuting white-collar crime ...he also appeals to the strong counter-cultural aspects of the North Coast community. ...with current crime rate and suspect conviction stats breaking in Gallegos' favor."

"Is it time to gather neighborhood watch organizations? Is it time for no-tolerance crackdowns? Is it time for under-cover operations that infiltrate some of the criminal elements residing in our communities?"