Pubdate: Sun, 01 Jul 2007 Source: Bradenton Herald (FL) Copyright: 2007 Bradenton Herald Contact: http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/58 CRIME STRATEGY NEEDED No Simple Solution to Wave of Lawlessness It is time for this community to have a serious discussion about crime. The timing for a comprehensive look at crime in Manatee County is ideal. County and city elected officials are beginning their annual budget drafting process for the next fiscal year, amid mandates from the state Legislature for property-tax rollbacks of at least 7 percent and curtailment of future tax increases. In the Manatee County Commission's budget hopper is a request from the sheriff's department for a 13 percent, or $12 million, increase. At the same time, the release last week of crime statistics from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for 2006 showed a disturbing 6.2 percent increase in crime from the previous year in the county as a whole and an 8.2 percent jump in the unincorporated area. That's considerably higher than the 1.4 percent hike in crime for the entire state last year. Three cities in Manatee County saw their crime rates decline: Bradenton's by 3.2 percent, Longboat Key's by 4 percent and Bradenton Beach by 7.4 percent. The statistics probably came as no surprise to residents who read this newspaper or watch local television newscasts. From horrific multiple murders to brazen gang shootouts at the beach to child kidnappings at suburban school bus stops to purse-snatchings at malls to rampant vandalism in upscale neighborhoods, it seems few days pass without fresh headlines about criminal activity, much of it violent, somewhere in Manatee County. Money is Not the Answer It is tempting to point fingers of blame, to focus on scapegoats who, if only they got their act together, could curtail this crime wave. And many citizens are doing just that, as reflected in letters to the editor on this page criticizing various law enforcement agencies for not doing enough to suppress crime or for endangering innocent bystanders when they do target criminal activity. Obviously, throwing money at crime isn't the answer. The sheriff's office has seen its budget increase by $25.5 million in the last four years, even as the crime rate has risen in all except one of those years. Yet what politician is willing to say no to law enforcement? What incumbent wants to be slimed in the next political campaign as being "soft on crime" for cutting law enforcement's budget? County commissioner Joe McClash doubtless spoke for most of his peers when he told a Herald reporter recently, "My commitment to the people of Manatee County is not to leave them in a position that their safety is in jeopardy because we reduced the sheriff's budget. I'm not going to do that." Crime Has Many Facets That's why a community dialogue is needed, to bring into the open all of the things that impact crime statistics - factors that can distort perceptions and lead to poor decisions by policymakers. Among these should be: The county's population increase - up by more than 7,000 last year alone, more than 25,000 in the last four years. More people means more crime, more streets to patrol, more needs. The average daily call rate to the sheriff's office in '06 was 550, up 31 calls a day from '05. Misleading interpretations of violent crime statistics. A big jump in murders and assaults does not necessarily mean our streets are less safe. Many of those crimes stem from domestic disputes - family members hitting and killing one another. Factors beyond the control of local law enforcement agencies: Increased illegal immigration that spawns gang activity, economic downturns that lead desperate citizens to turn to crime, easy availability of guns, societal toleration of illegal drugs and violent forms of entertainment. Increasing sophistication of criminals using high-tech tools to break the law. Breakdown of the nuclear family in general, with high divorce rates that lead to single-parent households where children do not receive adequate supervision. Manatee County isn't alone in this dilemma. Many cities are reporting comparable increases in crime even as they pour resources into law enforcement. The challenge is to direct resources to areas where they can be most effective. Local government needs to look at all factors that affect the crime rate, then study strategies that have worked elsewhere. Commissioner Ron Getman is on the right track in urging county staff to study ordinances that have been effective in curtailing gang activity in Orange County, Calif. Crime is not "someone else's" problem. There is no reason for anyone to feel smug about crime. Murders, burglaries and vandalism are prevalent in the suburbs as well as inner city neighborhoods. Ask any middle or high school principal about drug activity among their students; the stories would shock you. That's why a comprehensive approach is needed. Simply raising law enforcement agency budgets isn't the solution. It may be one, but there are many more that could be implemented with smart strategic planning. Talk Back Should Sheriff Brad Steube be given all of the $12 million increase he requests to operate the Manatee County Sheriff's Department for the next fiscal year? Share your views in the Opinion section of Bradenton.com. - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath