Major crimes or Part 1 crimes decreased by 5.75 percent in the City for the first six months of 2010, according to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Department.
The City experienced a decrease in all Part 1 crime categories except for forcible rape which increased from 13 to 18 incidents. Criminal homicide is down 64 percent; arson has dropped 51 percent, while aggravated assault dropped eight percent; larceny theft dropped 3.3 percent; robbery is down 2.5 percent and grand theft auto is down 1.1 percent.
The Santa Clarita Valley Station is focusing its efforts in the coming months on gangs and narcotics, which will include added resources and reallocation of resources to reflect the major emphasis over the next year.
“The Sheriff’s Department and the City will partner to put into operation an aggressive and comprehensive gang enforcement strategy. The program is currently in the development phase. If successful, this model will be used in other areas of the City,” explained Captain Paul Becker.
Since Becker was named Sheriff’s Captain in March of this year, he has worked on numerous efforts including a new tracking process for crime tips. The process is automated, provides a follow-up and tracking system, assigns specific deputies and Sheriff personnel to specific tips, and requires that tips are closed out within two weeks.
A significant benefit from this new tracking process is that many of the tips will be assigned to field deputies, which will allow for more proactive enforcement in the field. The new tips system also provides greater accountability and follow up to those reporting crimes.
For more information, log on to www.scvsheriff.com.