Police Chief: Violent Crime Down, Property Crime Up

Police Chief Cam Sanchez told members of the City Council that violent crime was down, property crime was up during last year, and that gang crime had dropped 11 percent in the same time period as well. (“Gang related” crime, he explained indicated some “gang-on-gang” activity, where “gang involved” meant the conduct furthered the interest of a given gang.) Response times, he said, also accelerated from April to May. Although property crime had been rising, Sanchez said the recent arrest of 10 burglars during the past five weeks will put a serious dent in burglaries. Sanchez added that 700 7th and 8th grade students participated in activities sponsored by the Campership Alliance, 85 percent of whom were at or below the poverty level.