Chief Flynn Shares Crime Numbers

The following is a message from Officer Felix of District 6. He has attached a message from Chief Flynn and the crime numbers for the first half of 2011. I have opened the files, copied, and pasted the contents below Officer Felix's Email for those of you that might have trouble opening them. Steve --- On Fri, 8/19/11, Felix, Carlos <cfelix@milwaukee.gov> wrote: Hello everyone   It is the community support that helps the Milwaukee Police Department make our city a great place to live.  So it is only fair that the community knows what the police are doing to fight crime, fear and disorder.  That is why I am passing along the first 6-month crime stat report.  This has been released from the Chief's Office and he would like us at the district to share this with the community.  Also attached in this email is a message from Chief Flynn, please take time to read the information and pass it on, so everyone is informed.  PO. Carlos Felix Milwaukee Police Department District Six CPU/CLO Office (414) 935-7198 Main   (414) 935-7262 Fax     (414)  935-7116 cfelix@milwaukee.gov   Dear Community Members:   We have developed a strong partnership between police and the community in the three and a half years since I took my oath as Chief of Police. We continue to work with you to create and maintain neighborhoods capable of sustaining civic life. We continue our commitment to work with you to reduce the levels of crime, fear and disorder through community-based, problem-oriented and data-driven policing.   Our tactical plans, investigative strategies and our problem-solving with other agencies has shown that proactive policing has made a difference, We have seen that cops really do count as we have sent them into the community not solely in squad cars, but on foot and bicycles. That accessibility has led to a relationship between the Milwaukee Police Department and the community that is unprecedented and critical to our continued success. I am pleased again to share with you that our partnership has resulted in a reduction in crime for the first six months of the year.   There were 12 percent fewer crimes and 2,255 fewer victims of crime during the first six months of 2011 than the first six months of 2010. Since 2007, violent crime is down 33.5 percent; property crime is down 25 percent – that is a 26.5 percent decrease in all crime in five years.   Comparing the first six months of 2011 to the same time period in 2010, violent crime dropped nearly 9 percent.  There was, however, one more homicide and one more non-fatal shooting. Robberies decreased by 2 percent and aggravated assaults decreased by 16 percent.   There were 10 more reported rapes fitting the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting criteria in the first half of 2011 compared to 2010, due in part to the special training officers are receiving regarding sexual assault investigations related to the reticence of some victims to want to file reports. We continue to make every effort to ensure that crime victims are comfortable and confident working with us.   Property crime is down 13 percent including a 6 percent decrease in burglary and a 20 percent decrease in theft. I am troubled by the 16 percent increase in auto theft, and because of our data-driven and problem-oriented practices, I can attribute a substantial portion of this increase to the combination of increasing scrap metal prices, the difficult economic times we face and legal loopholes that facilitate motor vehicle theft.   Too many of our stolen vehicles end up in the city's scrap yards, scrapped and crushed, often before the owner even knows the vehicle is missing. Earlier this year, we began "Operation Scrapper" to put scrap dealers on notice that we are monitoring their business practices. We also are seeking a legislative change that would require scrap metal dealers to demand a title when accepting a vehicle.   As we analyze crime, we also analyze the criminals. Between 1990 and 2009, the number of youths in Milwaukee between the ages of 15 and 19 increased 20 percent.  Not coincidentally, we are seeing a younger, more inexperienced offender. We are arresting more juveniles for robbery, most of whom have not been arrested in the past.   Of note: 21 percent of our 2011 burglary suspects are under 18, compared to 24 percent in 2010 44 percent of our 2011 robbery suspects are under 18, compared to 32 percent in 2010 50 percent of our 2011 juvenile robbery suspects had no prior arrests, compared to 45 percent in 2010   Nationally, there is a tragic trend in the assaults on police officers. We have seen an increase in the numbers of suspects who assault officers, resulting in the use of deadly force. Milwaukee Police Officers shot at and struck eight suspects in the first half of 2011. Thankfully, none of those officers was seriously injured, despite facing knife and gun attacks. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund reports there were 98 officers across America killed in the line of duty during the first half of 2011 — a 14 percent increase over the 86 officers killed during the same period last year.    As we conduct data-driven deployments and increase field interview and traffic stops, we increase likelihood that we will run into people predisposed to fight with the police. Our officers share the same risks and dangers the community lives with every day as they work with you to create safe public spaces for you to enjoy with your families.   We have always known our mission is to create a Milwaukee where all can live safely and without fear. I am gratified to see and hear from you that the community knows that, as well.