Majority of Victims do not report Crime says CMPD

[larry]

Hi everyone and especially that hard working Crime in Charlotte:

Did you know that most crimes are not reported? It has been known for years but finally said by CMPD

Police reach out to crime victims
11/30/2006 12:49 PM
By: Lisa Reyes, News 14 Carolina

www.news14charlotte.com/content/local_news/?ArID=130767&SecID=2 Watch the video

News 14 Carolina's Lisa Reyes has more on the report and what police are doing to reduce the crime rate.



CHARLOTTE -- Overall crime in Charlotte is up nearly 4 percent, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s monthly crime statistics that were released Thursday.

While its focus remains to decrease crime throughout the city, the department is in the midst of a three-year project to help improve relationships with crime victims.

For the month of October, overall crime increased 3.8 percent and arrests were up 6.7 percent compared to last year. Deputy police chief Gerald Sennett says there is always room for improvement, especially when it comes to victims.

"We are learning what we do good and what we need to do better,” he said.


Deputy police chief Gerald Sennett says there is always room for improvement, especially when it comes to victims.
The police department took a survey of more than 500 crime victims throughout the city and county as part of a program to improve relationships with crime victims and they found out there are some flaws.

"We could do a better job in our follow-ups," said North Division Sgt. Steve Brochu.

But that's not the only issue. Police say a majority of victims do not call police and that's a big concern. Police have worked with the International Relations Unit to mend the gap, but so far, they say it is still a challenge.

Sennett says some of the reasons victims might not notify the authorities is if they're frustrated, afraid or if they think nothing is going to be done. (yes because nothing has been done in the past)
Brochu says the key is to keep victims involved in the process.

"Victims need to feel empowered. They need to feel included. They need to feel part of the solution,” he said. “And in doing so, it at least helps them, if there is such a thing, get closure."

According to the statistics, homicides are down 8.5 percent from a year ago, but the decrease has narrowed from earlier in the year.

[Elaine]

Let me get this straight: if my car is stolen from my driveway and I call the CMPD, I know they will not respond to such a call, so why would I waste my time calling them? Also, I've heard many stories of people who did call CMPD and waiting 30 minutes, an hour, or longer, for them to respond. And the police department is surprised that the majority of victims don't report crime?

[OnCrime]

It is scary to know so much crime goes unreported. We have enough crime that IS reported to police!

DA Peter Gilchrist addressed this issue with me yesterday. From what I gathered- it is basically the Hispanic population that do not report crimes. Apparently, they are scared of the police and deportation and don't understand how the system works... The sad thing is that the criminals know this! Hispanic people are robbed all the time and they do nothing about it. I also heard they are the hardest victims to reach or get to come to court to testify and that doesn't help the DA's office to prosecute the criminal.

I believe the system does care about victims but they don't have the funds to do what they need to do in Charlotte. One of Mr. Gilchrist's colleagues said something to me yesterday that made a lot of sense. He said attorneys go to school for years to try cases in a courtroom. They do not spend all that time learning the law to come to work to dismiss every case. Unfortunately, our court system is under funded and they are just as frustrated as we are!

Everyone is frustrated! Citizens are frustrated because they do not want to live in a city filled with crime. CMPD officers are frustrated because they have to re-arrest the same criminals over and over. The DA's office is frustrated because they don't have the staff and resources to try every valid case brought before them.

I am frustrated because the local, state and federal elected officials love to point the finger in the opposite direction. When I contact the local officials- they tell me to contact the state officials because the state funds the courts and jails. When I contact a state official- they tell me they are not given enough money from the Federal government. When I contact the elected officials at the federal level- they told me funding for our courts is a state issue. AHHHH!!!

The truth is that the funding for our courts and jails should come from the state of NC. Since the state doesn't give us enough money- the city has contributed funds to help but they don't like to.

Please write a letter to the Governor and all our local state elected officials to ask them for more money for our courts and jails in 2007. Something must be done and we need to come together to make it happen!

[copper911]

Elaine said:

Let me get this straight: if my car is stolen from my driveway and I call the CMPD, I know they will not respond to such a call, so why would I waste my time calling them? Also, I've heard many stories of people who did call CMPD and waiting 30 minutes, an hour, or longer, for them to respond. And the police department is surprised that the majority of victims don't report crime?

Common now...let's use some common sense.

Let's analyze this scenario. If your car gets stolen what exactly is the police supposed to do by going to your house to take a police report that can be taken over the phone. I know people would like to SEE a police officer but police officers are scarce already and are needed to respond to other more important crimes in progress. There is NOTHING more police officer can do by going to your door and taking a report. Most cars are stolen as a result of leaving the car on with keys in the ignition.

Why should I report it to the police? Well, because the cars that are stolen are used to commit other MORE serious crimes like robberies and shootings. Most criminals don't go out and commit these crimes in their own cars, you think?

I know we all wish that police could be there at the snap of a finger, but the reality is that will never happen. It's never been that way and will never be. Calls for service are prioritized in order of importance and that's what makes sense, right?

I understand that there are some folks who have never been victimized, and the stealing of a car or credit card is a big deal to them, as it should be. I know that personally. But there are other things going on in Char-Meck bigger than your issue at the moment. There are assaults, rapes, armed robberies, shootings, and murders that take just a lil more priority than that stolen car that you want to police to be at your door in 5 minutes.

Look at the big picture.