Falling Crime Rate Mystifies Experts

DANA POINT-Over the past five years crime rates have declined all over the United States, mystifying experts. Demographers have many theories as to why the crime rates have fallen, but there is no hard evidence anyone can turn to explaining the phenomena. Partisans, of course, each claim that they are responsible for the decline, in order to put a positive spin that benefits their own interests, so that it depends upon who you talk to as to whether the crime rate went up atypically, so that its decline is also extraordinary; or, that the decline of crime is the result of hard-nosed police state strategies that clamp down on the civil rights of Americans.

Dana Point's chief of police services, Lt. Paul Ratchford, said last week that a preview of the soon-to-be released crime statistics for Dana Point shows a sharp drop in nearly all crime categories throughout the city. "Basically, calls for service are down. That's a pretty good indicator that this is going to be a very positive report for the city." This follows a nationwide trend of declining crime rates. Of course, Ratchford does not associate the decline of crime with the people of Dana Point - or their values - instead he takes credit for the decline on behalf of the police department, suggesting that his department's focus on community-oriented policing is responsible (the seniors who drive around the City in a City-owned van, pulling residents' missing pet posters down from telephone polls); and which includes bicycle and foot patrols, so that police can sneak up on criminals who jaywalk or litter, or, horrors, smoke marijuana in the Harbor. The truth, of course, is that Dana Point is a fairly quiet place, especially when compared to a city like Santa Ana, where gang shoot-outs still take place regularly, even though the statistical average probably even indicates a decline of crime in the county seat.

For a true insight into the mentality of the police, however, nothing serves better than the opinion of Lt. Ratchford regarding speculation on the causes of the decline of the crime rate nationwide. When crime was skyrocketing statistically, the crime-and-punishment lobby fought hard for new prisons, and laws that divest Americans of their civil rights; but now that crime appears to be declining, these same people attribute the decline to the success of these strategies, instead of demographic changes, which are the more likely source. Lt. Ratchford attributed the decline to the notion that many of the harder criminals have been incarcerated, and that law enforcement has gotten more sophisticated, especially in fighting gangs. However, over 30 prisons in the State of California has not prevented the following crimes from taking place in Dana Point in just the past week:

Unknown suspects broke into coin operated laundry and stole change.

Vehicle stolen.

Two men cited for trespassing on railroad property.

Vandalism to Dana Hills High School bungalows reported, windows smashed and furniture broken.

Two juveniles cited and released for possession of tobacco (Your Tax Dollars At Work!)

100 juveniles congregating, dispersed by police without incident.

Adult cited for being drunk in public.

Residential burglary through unlocked sliding door. Loss: computer equipment.

Classroom at Dana Hills High School has windows smashed.

Report of juveniles playing in Capistrano By The Sea dumpster; officers arrive to find juveniles gone.

Report of trespassers on vacant grounds of Capistrano By The Sea Hospital; officers arrive to find no one.

Six juveniles cited for curfew violation; released to their parents.

Motorist cited for driving with a suspended license.

Motorist cited for providing an officer with false evidence of registration; vehicle impounded.

Customer refused to leave a business, until deputies arrived.

A stolen vehicle that had been involved in a hit and run accident, is recovered.

A motel guest vandalized his motel room, breaking lamps and a mirror, after providing a fictitious name to the clerk.

Boyfriend and girlfriend in dispute over child custody.

Family feud.

Residential burglary. Loss: lap-top computer.

Man is reported kicking out car window; suspect at large when deputies arrive.

Report of loud party; another valuable service performed by uniformed professional police at taxpayers' expense.

Report of loud music; anyone care to estimate the cost of a police service call, when an individual policeman is paid approx. $40,000 per year?

Motorist became uncooperative when his car was stopped; arrested for obstructing policeman in the performance of his duties.

Windows smashed out of classrooms at Richard Henry Dana Elementary School. (There's a lot of vandalism in Dana Point directed at the schools by the students, anyone care to guess why?)

Vehicle burglary. Loss: cellular phone and purse.

Boyfriend and girlfriend in argument.

Suspicious female knocks at informants' door; departs prior to arrival of officers.

Man arrested for outstanding warrants.

Two juveniles stopped by limo driver as they tried to steal alcohol from the limousine; last seen driving off in a blue Honda.

Man arrested for trespassing and obstructing policeman in performance of his duties.

Woman arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Business owner reports receiving threatening phone calls from former employee.

Annoying phone call reported to police.

Man arrested for possession of narcotics.

Mother and daughter in dispute.

Woman said she was assaulted by her 17-year old stepson; no injuries.

Woman reported diamond ring stolen from her home.

Dispute between hotel clerk and guest.

Man cited for driving without a license.

Report of rude solicitor; no one is located when police respond to call.

Woman reports theft of credit cards from her purse.

Landlord and tenant in argument.

Note: While it is easy to criticize the police because they are active around the clock, and are at the center of almost all public business, it is also important to recognize the excellent work they do. Some crimes are political, putting police in an impossible position, because they are supposed to enforce the law. But anyone who has been a victim of real crime is always grateful when the police arrive. Some of the most important work the police do is in the area of homicide and detection of felony crimes, which is where all of the resources of police should be committed.

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