Serious crime down 40 %
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

Major felony crimes have declined in Jasper County in the period from 2004- 2006, according to recently released statistics compiled by the Texas Department of Public Safety; statistics also show that the clearance rate for cases has more than doubled, according to Sheriff Ronnie McBride.

"The biggest reason for the numbers going down is management changes in how things are done, and increase accountability among officers," McBride

The uniform crime reports from the state show a 40 percent decline in serious offenses, and the rate that cases are cleared has risen from 24 percent in 2004, to 40 per- cent in 2005, and to 50 percent in 2006 (2007 statistics have not been verified or published).

The report tracks homicide, rape, robbery, assault, burglary and theft, including theft of a motor vehicle. In 2004, there were 772 reported incidents, 704 actual crimes, and 166 cases cleared. In 2005, 583 reported, 535 actual, and 212 cleared. In 2006, 465 reported, 447 actual, and 224 cleared.

"Cleared" means that the sheriff's department is no longer investigating an active case; either an arrest warrant was issued or the complainant dropped the charges.

"I attribute this to our officers and to the 24/7 schedule we began," McBride said. "There may not be many of them out there, but they are visible and that's the most important thing in fighting crime."

Chief Deputy Jack Jett said another difference is how the officers take reports and follow up afterwards.

"The officer who initiates the report continues with the statements from witnesses and is responsible for follow up on the case," Jett said. "He reports his findings to the investigation supervisor who will review it and make the call if he sees a need to assign additional investigators."

"By combining the duties of chief patrol officer and criminal investigation under Capt. Stacey Chambers we have better coordination and follow up," McBride said, "and the net effect of an extra patrolman on duty."

McBride said the larger role played by constables in serving papers has also freed more time for deputies. Constables now also answer calls of "an immediate nature."

"If we don't have an officer available, the dispatchers are calling constables," McBride said. "In some cases, they handle the situation, or at least secure the scene until a deputy can get there. It helps us a lot."

McBride said that completion of the new jail in 2005 also made a difference.

"The availability of this facility and increased bed space allows law enforcement and the courts to be assured that violators will be locked up and stay locked up," McBride said.

"It's a very integral part of law enforcement," Jett confirmed. "Before, if violators knew they were going to get out because of lack of space, it was no big impact. Now they know they are going to be locked up awhile."

McBride said statistics do not separate domestic violence from assault, but he and Jett agreed that domestic violence in the county is probably up, or at least more reported than in the past.

"I feel like family violence is up because it is our #1 call, ahead of alcohol and drug abuse, and one of the most time consuming and dangerous calls that our officers answer," McBride said.

"It's evolved. People are more apt to report family violence and now the law says we take them in," Jett said.

McBride said that has helped because it takes the burden off the officers, takes them out of a counseling role or having to act as referee.

"If there's blood, even if the woman is saying she fell and bumped her nose, we're going to pick them up and remove them from the heat of the moment," McBride said. "It's the law that we don't leave someone in a risky situation or ask our officers to make the decision."

The other crime that is increasing, in both officers opinion, is scams and identity theft.

Although the sheriff's department usually takes the initial call on such scams, they are then turned over to the postal inspector or FBI and are not reflected in county statistics.

McBride said citizen involvement, as for example in the CrimeStoppers hotline, is beginning to pay off.

"There is always going to be crime and family violence, people are always going to fight," McBride said. "We can't stop it all, but if people will report anything that looks suspicious...if something doesn't look right, call it in and report it," McBride said. "That's the #1 thing to help law enforcement do their job in Jasper County."