𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 – 𝐈𝐬 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐔𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐨?

We’ve heard a lot about crime in Chico. The conservative PAC’s stated raison d’etre is the supposed rise in crime in Chico, and they contend we are not “safe,” because of the inaction of the current council.

Per the latest stats available from Chico Police Department, this is wildly exaggerated.

At this time, we only have data available for the first 2 quarters of 2020, but there is a clear downward trend in nearly all types of crimes in our city since 2018, this despite the fact we have nearly 20,000 more people than we did in 2018. The per-capita rates are even lower.

𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬:

Dropped in 2019, a trend that continued into the first two quarters of 2020. The drop in 2020 is particularly significant so far – down nearly 25% in the first quarter of the year.

𝐀𝐠𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭:

Dropped significantly in 2019 and the first quarter of 2020 – nearly 20% reduction. In 2019, the number of aggravated assaults dropped from 422 to 370. If the trend continues, it will be even lower for 2020.

In the first quarter of 2018 there were 119, in the same quarter of 2019 there were 107 and 2020 84. These are not minor reductions.

𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐲:

Yet another major drop in this category. There were 347 burglaries in 2018 and 285 in 2019. Numbers have dropped significantly again for 2020, and we are on track to see another significant drop.

𝗟𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘆:

Again, following the overall trend of a reduction in crime in the city, larceny dropped from 1843 in 2018, to 1835 in 2019, and is on track to drop again in 2020. In fact, the 2nd quarter of 2020 was the lowest number of larceny cases in a single quarter in the last 3 years.

𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐲:

Robberies dropped a small amount in 2019 compared to 2018, and as of the available numbers now, shows an even more significant drop in 2020.

𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐞:

There was a significant uptick in rapes in 2019 and that was identified as a clear area of concern. According to the numbers we have so far for 2020, there has been a significant reduction already this year, and we can likely expect to see this number continue to trend down as well.

𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧:

Arson is one of the few areas there has actually been a significant increase. However, this category of crime accounts for a very small number of total crimes in our city; 14 cases in 2018, 18 in 2019, and 15 through the second quarter this year. We can likely expect that category to increase this year. An area of distinct concern.

𝐕𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐟𝐭:

Vehicle Theft is one of a few areas that saw a significant increase in 2019, however those numbers have dropped dramatically in the first 2 quarters of 2020 and it appears we are on track for a considerably lower number of vehicle thefts.

𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞:

Homicides are up this year – but by up, we mean there were two homicides as compared to one each of the previous years. So while this increase is statistically significant, it remains an incredibly small number.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐔𝐬?

Let us be clear. We’d like to see a reduction in all types of crimes, and any number of crimes is an indication we can do better.

But let us also be clear. The right-wing PAC is stoking fear in the community that doesn’t reflect the actual facts. Whenever someone points out the statistics, including when Chief O’Brien presented the numbers to the city council in 2019, they simply argue that it’s not true, even with the numbers in front of them.

This is a false narrative. It isn’t about public safety, it’s about an agenda, and that agenda is getting right-wing candidates elected.

When Councilmember Stone pointed out that (per Chief O’Brien) crimes were lower in the city, he was widely vilified, and they sent out a survey asking if people “believed” him. (Again, not his numbers, so the real question should have been, did they believe the Chief of Police is a liar?)

They also sent out emails and robo-texts asking if people “felt” crime was down. The answers they got should surprise no one, despite being out of alignment with reality.

This PAC manufactured a problem, creating fear, division and outrage in the community, and when told by our own Police Department that they are wrong, they play on the “controversy” they’ve created and use that to show people “feel” crime is up anyway.

Any rational person can review these numbers and see that yes, we have work to do, and also, yes, overall numbers are down significantly during the tenure of the current council.

𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞.

But we will not be if people don’t get the facts out. If community members continue to believe the lies perpetuated by this PAC, Chico will remain divided, and it is likely we will see our progress interrupted as the council goes back to a conservative majority, under whom we saw significantly higher crime.

𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬?

Post them in the comments or DM us if you'd rather ask privately, and we will do our best to get answers.

#StandUpChico #WeAreChico

𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞:

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐮𝐬 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭, 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞. We must get real information out to voters before the election, and signs, mailers and even emails take money. Please consider donating

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