http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/crime/archives/2010/01/sacramentos-sti.html
January 7, 2010
Sacramento's still No. 2 in state for violent crime
By Kim Minugh
[email protected]
Despite a 36-year record low in homicides and an overall downward trend in crime during 2009, police and city officials cautioned Thursday that crime rate is still too high.
Based on statistics provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigations through the first half of 2009, police Chief Rick Braziel said Sacramento remains the second most violent of California's major cities measured by the crime rate, behind only Oakland.
Sacramento ranks third when it comes to property crimes, he said. A resident in Sacramento is two times more likely to be a victim of property crime, Braziel said, than a Los Angeles resident.
Though it's good news that crime is down, the chief said it's important to note that "it's down from a lot."
"Let's put it into perspective," he said.
Braziel spoke to the media about last year's crime figures after a promotional ceremony in which two new officers were sworn in and a third was promoted to sergeant. The promotions filled existing positions rather than creating new ones, according to police officials.
Eventually, though, the chief would like to see the ranks of his department grow. He said his department has roughly 200 fewer sworn and non-sworn positions than when he first became chief two years ago.
Mayor Kevin Johnson, who also attended the promotional ceremony, echoed those sentiments, and set an ambitious goal: Finding $3 million to fund 30 new positions within the Police Department - the next fiscal year.
"To me, nothing is more important than putting more boots on the ground," he said.
Johnson said he doesn't know where that money will come from, but said he wants to "challenge" his colleagues in the city to help him find it.
Asked whether he thought that goal was realistic, Braziel said, "It would take a major shift in philosophy for the city."
fuck i was thinkin L.A. or maybe Oakland Richmond Stockton before Sac
January 7, 2010
Sacramento's still No. 2 in state for violent crime
By Kim Minugh
[email protected]
Despite a 36-year record low in homicides and an overall downward trend in crime during 2009, police and city officials cautioned Thursday that crime rate is still too high.
Based on statistics provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigations through the first half of 2009, police Chief Rick Braziel said Sacramento remains the second most violent of California's major cities measured by the crime rate, behind only Oakland.
Sacramento ranks third when it comes to property crimes, he said. A resident in Sacramento is two times more likely to be a victim of property crime, Braziel said, than a Los Angeles resident.
Though it's good news that crime is down, the chief said it's important to note that "it's down from a lot."
"Let's put it into perspective," he said.
Braziel spoke to the media about last year's crime figures after a promotional ceremony in which two new officers were sworn in and a third was promoted to sergeant. The promotions filled existing positions rather than creating new ones, according to police officials.
Eventually, though, the chief would like to see the ranks of his department grow. He said his department has roughly 200 fewer sworn and non-sworn positions than when he first became chief two years ago.
Mayor Kevin Johnson, who also attended the promotional ceremony, echoed those sentiments, and set an ambitious goal: Finding $3 million to fund 30 new positions within the Police Department - the next fiscal year.
"To me, nothing is more important than putting more boots on the ground," he said.
Johnson said he doesn't know where that money will come from, but said he wants to "challenge" his colleagues in the city to help him find it.
Asked whether he thought that goal was realistic, Braziel said, "It would take a major shift in philosophy for the city."
fuck i was thinkin L.A. or maybe Oakland Richmond Stockton before Sac
