| Residents of Hemet, California have had enough of the area’s high crime rates. The city’s residents still love its five major parks, the many trees that have allowed its designation as an official tree city, and its several museums and other cultural attractions. For many, however, these benefits do little to outweigh the stress of living in a city with consistently high rates of both violent and property crime. This is particularly true of residents living in and around the city center, who often bear the brunt of the criminal element’s attacks. Three Murders in One Day Residents’ outrage is completely understandable. In one day over the summer, three unrelated people were killed in Hemet within the span of eight hours. All of these murders occurred outside of the victims’ homes, although the details varied. The first victim, who was intentionally hit by a car driven by individuals with whom he had gotten into an argument, was a seventeen year old boy. Police were able to apprehend the suspects only thanks to surveillance video released by the boy’s family showing the car as it fled the scene. Property Crimes Also Skyrocketing In addition to being plagued by violence, Hemet sees more than its fair share of property crimes. One in 22 residents will end up becoming a victim of a burglary, theft, or arson, right in their own home. These numbers are frightening for altogether different reasons. Although most home invasions do not end in physical altercations, they constitute a serious violation of privacy and comfort. Residents living in a city where they have to feel afraid to leave their homes should at the very least be afforded the comfort of knowing that they and their families are safe where they live. Unfortunately, violent crime and property crime are anything but mutually exclusive. Over the summer Tiaki Alfred James Mosley, who had been facing charges of both three counts of robbery and first-degree murder, was convicted. This conviction constitutes a win for residents who are concerned about current crime rates. The defendant faces up to 32 years in prison for murdering a Hemet resident in the course of a robbery. The murder was the culmination of a week-long crime spree committed by Mosley and his co-defendant, and his conviction was certainly a win for law and order. One conviction does not, however, constitute winning the war on crime. Public Officials Fail to Provide Solutions The city is attempting to address the issue through increasing police resources. A ballot measure known as Measure E would have increased local sales taxes with the explicit intent of ear-marking those public funds for public safety departments’ use. Unfortunately the measure was not been met with enough approval to pass on the ballot. Proponents of Measure E argued that it would have been an appropriate step toward curtailing the area’s rising crime rates, which increased by 30% in 2015 alone. The tax money could have been used to add dozens of new police and fire department personnel, which would contribute to faster responses, more neighborhood patrols, and expanded tracking of offenders out on parole. Many argue that the city’s increased crime rates are due to convicted criminals being released on parole from overcrowded jails in the area. Homeowners Fight Back With tepid public response to this ballot measure comes an increased responsibility for residents themselves to take steps toward ensuring their safety. This means paying attention to surroundings when out and about, but what can residents do to help protect themselves where they live? Alarm systems and security cameras can certainly help. Alarms provide a deterrent to burglars, who will be much less likely to break into a home when the entire neighborhood, and the local police, will be alerted to their presence. In a city where police response times for non-violent crimes are lower than average, however, this small comfort may not be enough to assuage residents’ fears. Many opt for participation in a formal Neighborhood Watch program. Several exist within city limits, including: Operation Lookout, with an office at 25080 Penang Drive; Hemet Rangers, located at 43979 Amazon Street; Covenant Homes on 1347 Sherman Circuit; and many others. Residents who do not have an official Neighborhood Watch program in their communities may want to establish one. At the very least, it’s a good idea to encourage active community participation and accountability. Immediate neighbors form the first defense against home invasion, particularly in cities where the local police force is not large enough to adequately keep the area’s criminal element in check. Installing home alarms can alert neighbors as well as the police to unwanted visitors in the area. This will, at the very least, increase the chances of suspects being apprehended in a timely manner. The presence of surveillance cameras will also increase the amount of hard evidence that officers have to investigate and pursue charges against the individuals responsible. Technology Upgrades Some modern surveillance cameras come equipped with remote monitoring technologies. These allow residents to view what is happening in their homes, even when they are away. The resultant videos can be used to find perpetrators after the fact. Store owners have been using surveillance equipment to monitor activity, and deter crime, for decades. It is only recently that these technologies have become affordable enough to be available to average homeowners. Nonetheless, not everyone can afford to have comprehensive security systems installed in their homes. A basic alarm system and one or two strategically placed cameras is often enough to prevent crimes from occurring to begin with. It’s a good idea to place cameras or alarms in plain view from outside the home, so that potential burglars will know that it is not an easy target. Many home security companies offer their clients official placards indicating that the home is protected. Make good use of them, and let neighbors know as well. |
