2008 Woodie Awards
Editorial
Finding ways to deal with crime in the Bay Area
Issue date: 9/11/06 Section: Opinion
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The FBI released its annual report on crime statistics for 2005 earlier this month. The report showed a nation wide 2.3 percent increase in violent crime. Rape was the only violent crime to have decreased in 2005, falling 1.2 percent from 2004.
This startling trend is reflected locally. Several of the largest cities in the Bay Area have seen increases in all categories of violent and property crime. Oakland reported 94 homicides in 2005, and 88 in 2004. The numbers continue to rise this year with over a hundred killed so far. San Francisco saw 96 homicides last year and 88 in 2004. Richmond's number of homicides increased from 35 in 2004 to 40 last year. The trend goes on for each major city and a number of smaller towns as well.
The problem extends to even more local areas. We often hear of car jackings, murders, gang activities, and violence in schools.
In just the past few weeks, a woman was robbed of her clothing, cell phone and iPod during early morning hours in Fairfield. An attempted kidnapping of a 10-year-old girl occurred in Vacaville, and a meeting of the School Climate Committee of the Vallejo Unified School District attempted to address, among other issues, violence in the public schools.
But what do we do when the streets are becoming less safe and we are wondering what that kid has in his backpack? There are a number of ways to address this issue.
Replicate the "Boston Miracle"
One method is the program that has become known as the "Boston Miracle." The Miracle works by having local police compile a list of "persons of interest." These individuals are then contacted and told plainly the consequences of illegal actions they are likely to make and how severe the charges and penalties against them can be. This helped reduce the homicide rate in Boston in the mid 1990s. This method is becoming more and more popular nationwide and is currently being applied by Oakland police.
Stiffer Penalties
This startling trend is reflected locally. Several of the largest cities in the Bay Area have seen increases in all categories of violent and property crime. Oakland reported 94 homicides in 2005, and 88 in 2004. The numbers continue to rise this year with over a hundred killed so far. San Francisco saw 96 homicides last year and 88 in 2004. Richmond's number of homicides increased from 35 in 2004 to 40 last year. The trend goes on for each major city and a number of smaller towns as well.
The problem extends to even more local areas. We often hear of car jackings, murders, gang activities, and violence in schools.
In just the past few weeks, a woman was robbed of her clothing, cell phone and iPod during early morning hours in Fairfield. An attempted kidnapping of a 10-year-old girl occurred in Vacaville, and a meeting of the School Climate Committee of the Vallejo Unified School District attempted to address, among other issues, violence in the public schools.
But what do we do when the streets are becoming less safe and we are wondering what that kid has in his backpack? There are a number of ways to address this issue.
Replicate the "Boston Miracle"
One method is the program that has become known as the "Boston Miracle." The Miracle works by having local police compile a list of "persons of interest." These individuals are then contacted and told plainly the consequences of illegal actions they are likely to make and how severe the charges and penalties against them can be. This helped reduce the homicide rate in Boston in the mid 1990s. This method is becoming more and more popular nationwide and is currently being applied by Oakland police.
Stiffer Penalties
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