Crime Survey

Utah's crime rate is down for the third year in a row, taking numbers to their lowest point in 21 years.

On the surface the numbers seem impressive, but statistics from local police departments can be misleading when you take into account a much larger picture.

More Info Local Poll Results: How Does Crime Affect You? Highlights: Crime in Utah 2000 Related Story Violent Crime Down Nationwide Links Utah Commission on Criminal & Juvenile Justice Includes crime prevention plan Crime In Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification Nation FBI Uniform Crime Report Justice Department's Statistics Bureau

News Specialist Jill Atwood explains.

When you think about it, what do those numbers really mean to you and me?

Has anyone ever asked you if you personally feel safe in your neighborhood? Chances are, no. But that's all about to change.

Violent crime is down almost nine percent here in Utah, property crimes almost 13 percent.

But consider these statistics-- Two third of crimes committed in the U.S. aren't reported and of the one third reported, only 20 percent end in arrest.

According to Robert Wadman, a Weber State associate professor of Criminal Justice, the reality is most crimes are not reported for various reasons-- lack of confidence in law enforcement or even embarrasement.

He says crime is more a symptom of much larger societal problems, and police enforcement can't even begin to scratch the surface.

Robert Wadman/Assoc. Professor Criminal Justice, Weber St. Univ. POVERTY, UNEMPLOYMENT HIGH SCHOOL DROP OUT AND SINGLE PARENT FAMILY. YOU HAVE ANOTHER COMMUNITY THAT IS DEALING WITH NONE OF THOSE PROBLEMS. KIDS GO ON TO COLLEGE. WHICH OF THOSE TWO COMMUNITIES IS GOING TO HAVE THE GREATEST CRIME PROBLEMS?

Camille Anthony, with Utah's Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, agrees.

That's why Utah's going a step beyond your basic crime report, with a new crime victimization survey. Many are already in the mail.

S. Camille Anthony/Utah Commission on Criminal & Juvenile Justice: THE REASON THAT'S IMPORTANT IS THEY MAY HAVE HAD THEIR PURSE TAKEN IN A SHOPPING CENTER AND NOT REPORTED IT TO THE POLICE. SO IT JUST REALLY FLUSHES OUT REALLY FROM THE VICTIM SIDE, RATHER THAN THE ARREST SIDE, HOW PEOPLE ARE FEELING IN THE COMMUNITY, IN THEIR WORKPLACE, IN PUBLIC PLACES IN UTAH.

Anthony says it's all about a proactive rather than a reactive way of thinking.

Anthony: THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH CRIME IS TO PREVENT IT IN THE FIRST PLACE. IF WE CAN GATHER THE BEST INFORMATION THE MOST ACCURATE INFORMATION WE ARE IN A BETTER POSITION IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO ADVICE POLICY MAKERS ON HOW TO RESPOND.

Those victimization surveys are in the mail, and more will go out. They're hoping to get as big a sampling as possible from Utahns.

Highlights of 2000 Crime in Utah Report

• In 2000, a total of 91,276 index crimes were committed which indicates an 11.38% decrease in overall crime from 1999. The index crime rate (index crimes per 1,000 population) decreased 12.6%.

• The total numbers for Violent Crime decreased by 7.52% from the previous year, with decreases in Homicide (2.33%), and Aggravated Assault (13.93%). Rapes (5.40%) and Robberies (4.38%) both increased from 1999 to 2000.

• Firearms were used in 45.24% of the homicides in 2000.

• The total numbers for Property Crime decreased by 11.60%, with decreases in Burglary (7.02%), Larceny/Theft (11.73%), Motor Vehicle Theft (18.96%), and Arson (17.13%).

• Residential burglaries accounted for 59.31% of all burglaries. Of all residential burglaries, 45.18% were committed during daytime hours (6:00 am to 6:00 pm).

• Arrests for DUI offenses increased 5.31%, from 10,932 in 1999 to 11,512 in 2000.

• Reported hate crimes increased from 61 in 1999 to 80 in 2000, a 31.2% increase.