Crime Down Sharply in Manassas
By: Lowell
Published On: 3/9/2008 6:52:05 AM
When it comes to crime, I've long noticed that there's a huge difference between public perception and reality. Specifically, the public often believes that crime rates are high and soaring even when they're actually low and falling. This is primarily the fault of the corporate news media, particularly local TV news, which is an utter disgrace in its "if it bleeds it leads," "missing attractive white girl," sensationalistic, no-shame and no-standards "news" coverage. How those bubble-headed anchors live with themselves, I have no idea.
Anyway, the end result is that if you watch the local TV news on a regular basis (which I don't anymore, because it's complete garbage), you end up with a wildly distorted view of what's happening. You probably believe the situation is far, far worse than it really is. Which is why we need to tell everyone we know about good news like this:
But the reality is that the city's crime rate dipped to a five-year low in 2007, with serious and violent crimes down 10 percent, [Police Chief John J.] Skinner said Thursday in a news conference, in which the statistics were released.
Even as calls for service rose 6 percent last year, to 61,731, there were decreases in robberies, larcenies, auto thefts and simple assaults. The total number of offenses dipped more than 7 percent, from 5,017 in 2006 to 4,656 in 2007.
The decrease in robberies, mostly street robberies targeting Hispanic immigrants, was particularly heartening because they had been increasing for years, Skinner said.
As I said, great news out of Manassas. Now, let's see if WUSA, WJLA, et al. lead with this on their local newscasts. How much you want to bet they don't?
Comments
I attribute much of the success to Paul Ebert (SW Democrat - 3/9/2008 9:58:10 AM)
As many of you know, Ebert is the Commonwealth's Attorney in Prince William County. He has held that position for almost 40 years! Starting in 1969, Ebert has made a name for himself by taking a no nonsense and unbiased approach to prosecution and he has become nationally known for his skills in the courtroom and his success in fighting crime. And another thing, he is one of only a minority of Commonwealth's Attorneys that were elected as a Democrat.
As much as I hate to say it (Eric - 3/9/2008 10:20:01 AM)
could this drop be attributed to the increased government pressure on immigrants?
The Hispanic immigrants (noted as targets in the quote) could be more worried about being deported (should they report a crime) than if they get robbed or beat up. This is especially true in places like Manassas where the anti-immigrant pressure has been taken up a couple notches the past two years.
Interesting question (Lowell - 3/9/2008 11:10:55 AM)
regarding people being less likely to report a crime. You might want to contact Police Chief Skinner and ask him that.
Excellent point and well-founded (Catzmaw - 3/9/2008 10:21:12 PM)
For the past 20 years I've been able to tell potential witnesses and battered wives and others that their immigration status is irrelevant, that no one will ask about their status when they show up in court to testify or call the police seeking assistance. In Arlington, I can still say that, but now I have to qualify my statements depending on jurisdiction. I believe we will see a substantial increase in unreported crimes, including robberies, assaults, domestic assaults, and child abuse. Not only that, but there is now a very strong incentive for people who are being interviewed by the police as potential crime witnesses or victims to lie and deny any knowledge. The end result will be that crimes go unpunished, crime victims will either suffer in silence or seek their own retribution because they cannot call in the police and the justice system to do it for them, and some may become even more willing to engage in small criminal offenses because the result will be the same whether you are law-abiding or not - you get bounced back to your country. I've already become used to seeing cases of stolen or falsified identity. This will increase the probability of those who may encounter the police using false ID.