Published: November 21, 2008 10:51 am      

Crime rate down in county

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — The crime rate in Jefferson County is down 4.2 percent, according to the annual statewide crime statistics report released by the Illinois State Police.

The Uniform Crime Report is based on crimes reported from local law enforcement to the ISP in 2007. Last year’s report, which reflected the 2006 data, showed an 11 percent rate decrease.

“I think the officers have been really aggressive in drug enforcement and that has helped,” Mt. Vernon Police Depart-ment Chief Chris Me-ndenall said. “We’re arresting people for robbery and theft, and people trying to do those crimes usually are supporting a drug habit. All those arrests, I believe, helps deter the crime.”

Mendenall also added that Neighb-orhood Watch participation plays a part in bringing down the crime rate.

“People in the neighborhood are watching and reporting suspicious behavior,” Mendenall said. “We’ve caught people breaking into cars and such from calls from neighborhood watch participants.”

Jefferson County Sheriff Roger Mulch also said crime watch groups have an impact on the crime rate and its decrease.

“People are reporting crime or even if they have something questionable, we’re taking more calls now,” Mulch said. “The second thing that I think attributes to the decrease is the level of law enforcement we have from the state down to local. We’ve all learned to do more with less and everyone has stepped up to the plate. ... More and more demand is placed on our law enforcement officers every day, and they continue to provide for Jefferson County and Mt. Vernon and keep it as safe as we can.”

Jefferson County, population of 40,523, had 1,959 crimes reported in 2006, and had 1,877 crimes reported in 2007, according to the ISP report. The Jefferson County decrease was larger than the state, which fell 3.1 percent. In the last 13 years, the state has seen a consistent downturn in crime with 210,000 fewer crimes than in 1994, according to the ISP.

The report states that Illinois had 456,000 reportable serious crimes in 2007. Reportable crimes for the report are rape, robbery, battery, burglary, larceny, auto theft and arson.

In Jefferson County for the 2007 reporting year, there were no murders reported; 45 criminal sexual results; 28 robberies; 272 aggravated assault/batteries; 508 burglaries; 991 thefts; 22 motor vehicle thefts; and 11 arsons.

A drug crime comparison shows that in 2007 there were 582 total drug related arrests. Of the total drug arrests, cannabis arrests were 265, controlled substance arrests were 138 and drug paraphernalia arrests were 170.

Supplemental information provided in the Uniform Crime Report show a decrease in crimes against children, but an increase in domestic crimes.

In 2007, there were eight crimes against children reported, compared to 16 in 2006; there were 101 domestic crimes in 2007, compared to 75 in 2006.