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Crime Rates
Eureka Crime Trends
survey results to measure Crimes reported per 1,000 residents in 2012 SOURCE: FBI UNIFORM CRIME REPORTS the amount of crime that goes unreported in ARCATA 150 Violent (3.1) the country, as well as to Property (43.31 ) correlate victimization Property Crimes rates with demographic EUREKA Reported per 1,000 residents Violent (5.79) information. Gener120 Property (71.21 ) ally, the survey estimates higher crime rates than FORTUNA law enforcement agencies Violent (3.82) Property (36.68) report. In 2012, the bureau 90 estimated that 22.6 people FERNDALE per 1,000 U.S. residents fell Violent (2.17) victim to violent crime. Property (12.27) The problem with the surRIO DELL 60 vey, however, is it doesn’t Violent (2.35) reach enough households Property (27.92) to come up with regional UNINCORPORATED* data, so it’s of little use in Violent Crimes Violent (1.57) 30 estimating crime rates in Property (15.46) Reported per 1,000 residents Humboldt County. So, with all these flaws, CALIFORNIA Violent (4.23) does crime data even help Property (27.59) inform the discussion? Is it 0 0 10 20 worth paying attention to? 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos that rate the quality of life in various there’s been the huge spike in violent point to meth as the primary factor causthinks so. cities. Eureka never seems to score well crime that’s being talked about around ing crime, but Mills sees the answer to Eu“It has to be,” he says. “It’s the only way when it comes to safety. The website town. But he gets why people are frustratreka’s high crime rates as being a lot more we have to measure.” neighborhoodscout.com, for instance, ed. “I think people are generally just tired nuanced and a lot more complicated. claims Eureka is safer than only 2 percent of crime, and I understand it,” he said. “It’s Mills said it’s important to recognize to accept of United States cities. To make this claim, not something we can just excuse and shy that while Eureka’s population sits around the flaws and use crime data as the startthe site simply adds violent and property away from. We have some crime prob28,000 — and its per-capita crime statising point for a discussion about local crime together and figures out how many lems. I don’t know how else to put it.” tics are calculated accordingly — the city public safety, two questions immediately crimes are committed per 1,000 residents. Back from one of her walks through has a daytime population that’s probably come to the forefront: What is going on Speaking from Eureka Police headtown, speaking in her home off H Street, closer to 60,000. Humboldt County Sherin Eureka? And, why is my car stereo less quarters, Mills said he’s aware of Eureka’s Lingle said she sees a clear culprit in iff Mike Downey agreed, saying Eureka’s safe in Humboldt County than in other low rankings on these sites, but said he Eureka. “It’s the meth that’s doing it,” she per-capita numbers are skewed. “You parts of the state? doesn’t see the city as some lawless said. “All the screaming and yelling, it’s just have to remember Eureka is the heartbeat There’s a number of websites out there wasteland. Mills also doesn’t believe making people crazy.” Many in town also of Humboldt County,” he said. “All of
If one is willing
Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies search for a suspect after a robbery in 2010.
Eureka Police officers search for a wanted parolee.
Photo by Mark McKenna
Photo by Mark McKenna
12 North Coast Journal • Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014 • northcoastjournal.com
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