FBI Report Shows Elk Grove Bucks National Crime Trend

While the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) semiannual crime statistic reports shows an increase in the national crime rate, Elk Grove residents can take solace that the city's crime rate in nine of 10 categories measured declined.

According to their national report, Elk Grove showed declines for the first six months of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. The violent crime category, Part I crimes, which includes murder forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault dropped from 261 incidents to 240. 

The report shows that rates dropped in property crime, burglary, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft. The only category in the FBI report showing an increase was arson.

Elk Grove Police Chief Robert Lehner emphasized that the FBI report covers only a six-month period and that data for the entire calendar year is likely to show a statistically insignificant decrease in Part I crimes. Lehner did note preliminary data shows that auto theft dropped by approximately by 30 percent in 2012.

"Early data from around the region and the country suggest the decades-long general crime decrease is over," Lehner said. "Certainly in Elk Grove, the annual decreases since we have kept data as a city [mid-year 2006] are effectively over."

Lehner said two recent developments that could affect future crime rates are the state's prison realignment program and the passing of Proposition 36, which changed so-called three strikes sentencing laws.   

Though Elk Grove may reflect national trends in the future, Lehner noted that the city remains a relatively safe place and that the biggest risk facing residents is property crime. To that end he urged residents to be vigilant and said that measures as simple as locking doors are effective crime deterrents. 

"A small amount of prevention goes a long way," Lehner added.