Property crimes increase in 2009

Recently released statistics by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) lists Fife as the highest-ranking city for total crime per 1,000 people in Pierce County.

In 2009, the city reported 83.2 crimes per 1,000 residents. That is a 1.3 percent increase since last year, according to the Uniformed Crime Report. Fife Police Chief Brad Blackburn points to low staff levels as a major factor for the increase.

“There’s this false idea that with less officers we’re able to do more,” Blackburn said.

The department has been down by two officers for several years, due to budget constraints within the city. As a result, the goal of the department has been to focus on crimes against people first and crimes against property second, the chief added.

In 2009, Fife police officers focused heavily on reducing the number of violent crimes and it seems to have worked. The total number of violent crimes within the city has dropped by 10 percent. The largest decreases have been made in reported aggravated assaults – 22 percent lower.

However, with the department focused on people crimes, the number of property crimes has risen. In 2008, there were 571 reported property crimes. There were 591 reported property crimes the following year, an increase of 3.5 percent. Blackburn points to the economy as a factor for the spike in property-specific crime.

“These are crimes of opportunity,” he noted. “People are out of work and need to survive.”

Last year, Fife experienced a 35 percent increase in burglaries with 115 cases reported. Larceny has also risen with 396 reported cases, a 9.4 percent increase, according to the crime report.

Fife’s unique location between two large cities and along the Interstate-5 corridor poses several enforcement challenges for an already strapped police department. An increase in prostitution, drug trafficking and transient populations makes it hard for officers to keep track of people entering and exiting the city, Blackburn commented. The department has also seen increases in the number of mentally unstable people disturbing residents and businesses.

“Fife is a connector for all traffic,” Assistant Police Chief Mark Mears added. “All of it ripples down to us.”

Blackburn stresses prevention as a means to keep citizens from becoming victims of property crimes. He suggests locking doors and windows, neighborhood watch programs and diligence when leaving valuables in plain sight to reduce a person’s risk of burglary or theft.

“People need to take steps to protect themselves and take ownership in their community,” Blackburn said. “The goal is not to scare people. Let’s be smart and protect ourselves.”

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