Posted on Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 4:50 p.m.
Mayor says crime is down in Ann Arbor, but new FBI statistics show crime is up
By Ryan J. Stanton
The local A2Politico blog today criticizes Mayor John Hieftje for a recent remark about crime being on a downward trend in Ann Arbor, a statement apparently contradicted by new FBI crime data that shows crimes against people and their property are ticking up in Tree Town.
A2Politico reports that nationwide - according to the FBI crime index - Ann Arbor’s numbers show a sharp increase in property crime numbers - rising from 2,777 in 2007 to 3,121 in 2008 - bucking a national trend that's seen property crimes in the nation decrease by 2 percent per year between 2004 and 2008. In fact, according to FBI data, Ann Arbor’s property crime levels are behind only those of Detroit, Flint and Grand Rapids, A2Politico reports.
Comments
Awakened
Tue, Sep 15, 2009 : 2:57 p.m.
Prudent cities focused their shrinking budgets on police, fire, and roads. Ann Arbor focused on parks, green belts and a big, brand new, council chamber.
Ricebrnr
Tue, Sep 15, 2009 : 9:29 a.m.
Regarding "those places with reputations for being anti-gun become safe havens for the displaced criminals (the reason Ann Arbor's crime statistics are up and will continue to rise)" The general populace here may be considered anti gun hippies, BUT to be fair the police and government imho is refreshingly open minded regarding both concealed and open carry of firearms. They do not throw up as many obstacles to firearm ownership or concealed pistol licensing as do may other cities and counties where their citizens arguably "need" it more. Therefore there is a significant number of those that believe in self protection and the second amendment here. If crime is up in A2 then I think there will be a story very shortly how one of those felons will meet the wrong "victim".
ummsw
Tue, Sep 15, 2009 : 7:08 a.m.
Where has the mayor been for the last 6 months??? It has increased and in broad daylight...
Sherry
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 11:46 p.m.
Also, I wanted to say that someone who has commented here would do a better job than the so-called Mayor that is screwing up the residents he is supposed to make sure are safe. Not happening, wake up Mr. Mayor and smell the roses cause your on your way out of office and someone who cares about all of Ann Arbors residents will take over and we then again can feel safe.
Sherry
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 11:41 p.m.
I also saw the report on A2 and the increased crime in the past 2 weeks. I was making a report at the A2 Police Dept. today and not only was the phone ringing off the hook to report crimes but there were people in the to report crimes that had just happened to them. It seems it has been the History not to report the truth about the crime as the University just may lose some students. The time has come for a new Mayor and Administrator. Okay, to the Mayor, get your head out of the sand and put the police back on the streets, put back the firefighters and open the closed Fire Stations! Ann Arbor is where I was born and raised and live and I am not going anywhere but someone please get this Mayor some reading glasses and fill him into the truth and why A2 has sunk into this giant hole.
Ann Arbor Resident
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 9:42 p.m.
Channel 7 news reported today that there were 20 break-in/robberies south of the campus this weekend. I guess that is a crime reduction, lol.
stonecutter1
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 9:37 p.m.
The "Mayor" knows nothing aside from how to get elected! I will continue to protect my house(shoot first, ask questions later)! The police do an excellent job, but they cannot be expected to be everywhere. Cut the police force, increase the likelyhood that I cap some a-hole trying to break in my house!
djm12652
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 9:11 p.m.
How can crime be up in A2? I see nothing of crime on AnnArbor.com being reported. When I do see reports of crime on DetNews or Freep.com about A2, I just figured they were jealous of our crime free utopia. As far as our Mr. Mayor...I wish people in A2 would quit drinking the kool-aid...
D LaBelle
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 8:05 p.m.
When the City Administrator and the Mayor give the police budget a haircut...with a hatchet, this is the result. The Police Chief contends that he still has enough cops to do the job because he has back-filled positions that were vacated by the recent 25 retirees (some early). When you backfill with support staff - as he is done - things get neglected and the officers spend all of their time in reactionary mode. What the City leaders fail to realize is that crime WAS down because there used to be enough cops to nip problems before they became epidemic...Don't blame the pigs for this swine - flu. The responsibility lies directly on the backs of the City Administrator and Mayor. middletheroad
bhall
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 7:51 p.m.
Let me expand on my comments. I think the value in your web site is to provide clarity on some issues. You've linked to a blogger's post that essentially calls the mayor a liar. Well, life is rarely black and white.
bhall
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 7:47 p.m.
How 'bout asking him how he arrived at his comments. There's a lot of ways to break down statistics.
Ryan J. Stanton
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 7:44 p.m.
We certainly take pride in doing our own reporting and, when we come across items like this during the day, sharing them with you so that AnnArbor.com can be a place where you come to find out what's happening and being discussed whether we started the discussion or not. That said, I believe there's more to report here, and I'm sitting across the room from the mayor right now. I will ask him a few questions if you have any you'd like answered.
Macabre Sunset
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 7:41 p.m.
Yet we still call for jail closures, early paroles and millions of dollars for thugs who attack policemen and get hurt in the process.
bhall
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 6:58 p.m.
So annarbor.com, are you going to do some actual reporting on this controversy, or continue to let others do it for you?
shawnsbrain
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 6:22 p.m.
Enough said!! We need a different mayor~~
stonecutter1
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 5:53 p.m.
The "Mayor" knows nothing except how to get re-elected! Is crime up? Yes! My home,(when I'm not there)is protected by a very agressive pit bull mix. When I am there, a.357 Magnum. Enter at your risk. We are both quick on the trigger!
amlive
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 5:50 p.m.
I'm really liking this AnnArbor.com format. People express an interest at seeing some real numbers, reporters run with it, and there it is. Bravo. As to the actual numbers, it's tough to say how meaningful they really are, or in what context the Mayor looked at them. Compare the whole of 2007 to 2008, and you see one thing. Look at the first half of 2009 to that period of 2008, or put it in the context of a 20 year chart and you may see another. Draw a per capita comparison and you can get something entirely different. Pick different combinations of burglary, robbery, vehicle theft, assaults, etc, and there are all sorts of conclusions you could probably support. Statistics are a marvelous thing, and even when presented with honest intentions, interpretations can still come out quite different.
azzicit
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 5:31 p.m.
You mean you are going to believe facts and not the Mayor. I am shocked. Guess what folks, its only going to get worse as the police department shrinks in size.
Alan Goldsmith
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 4:42 p.m.
So, what is this? The Mayor actually was...not in touch with the reality based community when he spoke of crime not be up and the cutbacks in the police department having no effect on the city? Is the Mayor just confused or is he not being totally honest with the citizens and the voters of A2? Something to remember as he ponders running for higher office.