| 2/9/2010 11:03:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | Thefts, possession show greatest crime increase
Sue Price - Mail Staff Writer
Thefts and drug possession cases during 2009 showed the greatest increase in city crime statistics released by Thursday by Salida Police Department.
Police chief Terry Clark reported total arrests declined to 261 compared with 268 in 2008. There were no murders or home invasions in the city last year.
"Our only significant increase was in theft cases," Clark said.
He reported 266 theft cases were investigated in 2009, up from 174 during 2008.
"I can't really say it's economy driven. Many of them seemed to be crimes of opportunity - people leaving valuables in plain sight in automobiles and that kind of thing," Clark said.
Burglaries were down from 40 cases in 2008 to 37 during 2009.
"It's a safe assumption to say most of the theft cases are related to drug use," Clark said.
Arrests for possession of illegal drugs increased from 51 in 2008 to 63 last year. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, he said, increased from 33 cases to 36.
Domestic violence cases increased from 29 in 2008 to 30 last year. Child abuse investigations rose to 10 from four cases in 2008.
There were 44 assault cases in 2009, up from 40 in 2008. Sexual assaults increased from three to four.
Traffic accidents declined from 79 in 2008 to 65 in 2009. Eight injuries were reported, but there were no reported traffic fatalities in 2009.
Clark said Salida Police Department will move to its new location in the Touber Building on First Street during the first week of March. All police operations will be from the new building beginning March 11.
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