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BIG CRIME REDUCTIONS IN BRADLEY CO. |
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Written by Tim Gobble, Sheriff
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Thursday, 11 February 2010 |
We have received the new BCSO crime statistics for last year and they reaffirm that our reorganization of County law enforcement services and our hard focus on combating crime in a proactive manner continues to get results.
There were no homicides in Bradley County in 2009, and, according to the new crime stats, all Group A offenses (crimes against persons, property and society) declined by 12 percent over the previous year. Additionally, simple assaults were down six percent, vandalism was down 26 percent, vehicle thefts were down 18 percent, thefts from a vehicle were down five percent, thefts from a building were down one percent and burglaries were down three percent.
These crime figures also indicate the effectiveness of our deputies in making real and identifiable improvements in the quality of life for the entire community when they are properly funded and supported. They consistently perform in an exemplary manner, as evidenced by the fact that in 2009, we received 86,871 calls for service, which shows the sheer volume of calls BCSO deputies must respond to in a county our size with a population approaching 100,000. By increasing morale, reducing top-heavy management and putting more deputies and investigators in the field with the proper training and equipment, the BCSO has steadily and consistently reduced crime and violence, even during an economic downturn when crime generally increases.
Some other statistics:
* Group B offenses (disorderly conduct offenses, DUI, public drunkenness, trespassing, etc.) were down by four percent.
* Crime related to domestic violence was reduced by seven percent.
* There were 2,893 total arrests made by Bradley County deputies in 2009.
* The overall crime clearance rate achieved by the BCSO is almost 55 percent, which is about 25 percent better than the national average; the national clearance rate average is near 30 percent.
* The average emergency response time is now approximately six minutes and 52 seconds, as compared to almost 10 minutes, as it was in 2006 when I took office.
It is clear that the BCSO is operating at an all-time record level of effectiveness and efficiency and these numbers confirm what outside experts said in 2007, when they stated on record that the BCSO was one of the top law enforcement agencies in the nation.
I appreciate all the hard work of every BCSO deputy and employee and all members of the public who have supported our efforts. I also appreciate District Attorney Steve Bebb and his office for their assistance in prosecutions, as well as the U. S. Attorney’s Office and the entire local criminal justice system. My appreciation also to County Mayor D. Gary Davis and County Commissioners Howard Thompson and Brian Smith for their recent support of County law enforcement efforts. I am proud of the fact that the BCSO has achieved such good results without the need for any tax increases.
While these statistics are impressive, they tell only part of the story, as the BCSO Corrections Division continues to operate the jail and workhouse programs with great efficiency and our Judicial Services Division continues to protect our courts and serve criminal and civil court orders at record levels.
Everyone in the law enforcement community and all concerned citizens in Bradley County who have supported their efforts have every reason to be proud.
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