Greenbrier-Cloverdale Homeowners Association

Crime Scene is Good News, Bad News

Feb 23, 2000

Detective Chuck Parker of the Lakewood Police Department recently updated us on changes in the crime rate in our neighborhood (Jewell to Mississippi and Pierce to Sheridan) from 1998 to 1999. He noted that some blocks in our area are in jeopardy of losing their Neighborhood Watch status, adding that, ?“Statistically speaking, crime in lower in areas that have active Neighborhood Watch programs.?”
So what is the status of crime in Greenbrier-Cloverdale? Here?’s the good news: There were no homicides, either in ?‘98 or ?‘99. Assaults dropped?—aggravated assaults went from 5 to 3, and simple assaults plummeted from 28 to 16. Burglaries declined, with residential burglaries dropping from 36 to 32, and commercial burglaries dropping from 15 to 10. Traffic violations experienced a major drop?—from 412 to 359. ?“All other?” thefts declined from 82 to 72. And shoplifting cases went from 2 to 1.
Now here?’s the bad news: There were 2 rapes reported each year. Robberies went up slightly, from 2 to 3. Thefts from or of parts of vehicles climbed dramatically, from 49 to 75. Harassment offenses went from 43 to 54, and driving under the influence offenses (DUIs) went from 16 to 20. Reported child abuse instances went from 10 to 16, while cases of sexual assault on a child increased from 4 to 5. Drug offenses rose from 7 to 9. Weapons violations increased from none to 2. Alcohol offenses went from 2 to 9, and animal control violations rose from 106 to 130.
Some criminal activity remained unchanged or nearly unchanged from ?’98 to ?’99: Motor vehicle thefts went up very slightly, from 28 to 29, while vandalism instances went from 67 to 68.
Who were the suspects in these crimes? 77% were male, and 23% were female. 80% were white, 17% Hispanic, 2% Asian, and 1% black. 80% were adults, and 20% were juveniles.
What can you do to fight crime? For one thing, make sure your block?’s Neighborhood Watch is not de-activated. Volunteer to be your block captain or co-captain. Call Lakewood Police Department?’s Crime Prevention Unit at 303-987-7105 to obtain more information.