Safety And Crime Rate: Part Six Of The Community Indicators Series
Sonora, Ca — Safety and Crime Rate is the topic of our sixth installment of our series on the 2008 Tuolumne County Profile Community Indicators Project.
Why is this important?
Residents want to feel safe within their neighborhoods. When crime rises, we experience a disintegration of the stability of our environment. Rising crime inhibits healthy growth and devalues our investment and business opportunities.
What is the measure?
Uniform Crime Reporting is a reporting system that provides data on crime based on statistics submitted by local law enforcement.
Four categories are listed under violent crimes (homicide, forcible rape, robbery, and assault); three under property crimes (burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft). These numbers, although not inclusive of every crime type, give an accurate picture of the overall crime level.
How are we doing?
From 2005 to 2007, the number of reported violent crimes increased 19.7%. Robberies and homicides have remained at very low numbers. However, reported assaults increased 21%. Property crimes dropped 17.4% over this same period.
We are far below the State average in homicides, robberies, thefts and motor vehicle thefts. We are above the State averages for assaults and burglaries, and near the State average on forcible rapes.
A large percentage of crime can be traced back to the use of methamphetamine and alcohol where most street level enforcement efforts are concentrated. Three to five persons per day are booked on methamphetamine (possession/influence) or alcohol (DUI/public intoxication) related charges.
Click Community Indicators Project for the entire 2008 Tuolumne County Profile.
Written by BJ Hansen
