Fairfield Leads State in Drop in Violent Crime

Fairfield Leads State in Drop in Violent Crime
By Daily Republic staff

FAIRFIELD - Fairfield had the sharpest drop in violent crime in the state in the first nine months of last year while the rest of California experienced an increase, Fairfield police said Thursday.

From January to September 2005, violent crime inched up 0.8 percent in California compared to the same period in 2004, according to a state Department of Justice preliminary report on crime. Fairfield posted a 28.4 percent decrease compared to the first nine months of 2004, according to a written statement from Fairfield Police Chief Bill Gresham.

"These statistics demonstrate that the Fairfield Police Department is making progress in reducing crime in the community," Gresham said in a written statement. "With successful initiatives such as the Violent Crime Suppression Unit, the Gang and Drug Suppression Unit and the Crime Free Multi-Housing program in full operation - it's rewarding to see these positive outcomes."

Gresham was not available for comment after business hours on Thursday when his statement was released.

In January Fairfield police released statistics that violent crime declined 23 percent in all of 2005 and overall crime dropped by 6 percent.

Statewide, homicide increased by 0.4 percent, robbery by 0.2 percent and aggravated assault by 0.5 percent, according to a written statement from Attorney General Bill Lockyer's office. Forcible rape showed a decrease of 2.7 percent.

California hasn't seen an increase in the overall number of violent crimes from a periodic report since 2002," Lockyer said in a written statement. "While it is a small increase it is important for my office and local law enforcement to keep our focus on shutting down the forces of crime."

Lockyer blamed methamphetamine as a factor in violent crime and said that law enforcement agencies need federal funding restored so they can combat the drug.

To view the report visit http://ag.ca.gov/cjsc/publications/ninemorpt/js05/js05_rpt.pdf.