CRIME DOWN, ARRESTS UP, LEADERS TOLD

But Drug Busts Have Skyrocketed In Past 5 Years

While law enforcement officials are arresting more people on charges
of aggravated assault and drug-related infractions, overall crime
rates in McDonough County are on a downward trend, according to
statistics that Dr. Michael Hazlett presented this week.

Hazlett, a WIU law enforcement and justice administration professor,
compiled that information as part of his presentation to the
Community Quality of Life Advisory Committee (CQLAC) at its quarterly
meeting Monday afternoon at City Hall.

His statistics showed that the crime rate in McDonough County fell by
11.4 percent between 2000 and 2004, while drug arrests have increased
by 70.5 percent during that same period.

Over the past year, overall crime increased by 2.2 percent, while
arrests for aggravated assault soared by 48.7 percent.

Hazlett fingered WIU students as the major perpetrators of aggravated assault.

But he's not sure there's necessarily a lot more fighting than in the
past -- he just thinks the university and city are taking the issue
more seriously. In the past, Hazlett said, WIU officials often
handled assaults internally, whereas now they're more likely to get
local law enforcement agencies involved.

That's led to an increase in reported assaults.

"The university's less tolerant; I think the city's less tolerant, as
has been indicated by the mayor and the city council," Hazlett said.

As proof of this, Hazlett pointed to the council's consideration of
an ordinance increasing the minimum fine for fighting from $25 to $250.

"Their reservoir of goodwill has been exhausted," Hazlett said.

Law enforcement is also doing more to take a bite out of the drug
trade, Hazlett said, which has led to an increase in drug related
arrests. In 2000, drug arrests in McDonough County per 100,000
inhabitants (a standard measurement) stood at 489.2.

By 2004 that number had nearly doubled to 834.0 -- a 70.5 percent increase.

That number was second among western Illinois counties during 2004,
with Knox County's 1402.1 running away with the top spot. The state
average was 888.1.

Not surprisingly, Hazlett blamed methamphetamines for the increase in
arrests. The solution, he says, is to continue efforts to restrict
the availability of meth components.

"If you make the components for making meth less available, I think
you'll see the arrest rate drop," he said.

In the meantime, he praised law enforcement and the private sector
for their joint efforts to fight the drug, which he said has also
been a factor in increasing arrest rates.

Other notable statistics from Hazlett's report include an increase in
arsons from four in 2003 to 10 in 2004. Overall, arson remains a very
small portion of total crimes committed.

Aside from arson and assault, almost all other crime categories saw
at least a minor decrease in 2004. Vehicle theft dropped from 24 to
12, theft dropped by 3.9 percent, sexual assaults by 15.5 percent and
burglary by 6.1 percent.

Statistics also show that those who do the crime are apparently more
likely to do the time. In 2000 there were 2,932 serious crimes
reported per 100,000 inhabitants, and 628.9 serious arrests - an
arrest rate of 21.4 percent. In 2004 there were 2596.5 serious crimes
reported per 100,000 inhabitants, and 642.3 serious crime arrests - a
24.7 percent arrest rate.