Chief: Violent crimes jump 49% in 2008

Anderson Police Chief Dale Webb reported an annual increase in violent crimes of more than 49 percent in 2008 and a rise of more than 20 percent in property crimes, according to the city's recently released annual report on criminal activity.

In contrast, during that same period there was a decline in domestic violence of more than 28 percent.

Reported assaults, burglaries, homicides, larcenies, motor vehicle thefts, rapes and robberies in Anderson increased by more than 30 percent with a total of 930 incidents during the previous calendar year. The average for such crimes hovered at about 710 per year from 2005 to 2007.

Assaults, burglaries and auto thefts rose sharply at more than 40 percent when compared with 2007.

"You tend to see these kinds of things when the economy goes down," Webb commented.

Anderson Mayor Butch Schaefer agreed with the police chief's assessment.

"We think some of the property crimes are up because of the economy," said Schaefer, who has noticed an increased load on the court system while working as Shasta County Deputy Marshal.

In the annual report, Webb specifically blamed overcrowding in the Shasta County Jail for Anderson's crime rate increases, "since law enforcement cannot hold offenders accountable."

Drug Activity

Methamphetamine activity has declined even as cocaine use has risen lately, according to Webb.

"But we've seen the biggest increase in prescription drug use," said Webb, adding that pain killers were most used. "I think the younger generation is getting away from (methamphetamine use) because they see meth as a dirty drug."

Gang Activity

Webb described gang activity in Anderson as slight.

"We get some tagging and vandalism," he said.

Although some documented gang members are in the city, Webb said the number is small and they are not active.

"The ones that are here were involved in gangs in prison for protection or they moved away from activity in the south (to leave the lifestyle)," Webb said.

DUI Arrests

Recorded Driving Under the Influence arrests spiked in 2008, due primarily to the efforts of Officer Matt Goodwin, who personally made 151 of the department's 245 DUI arrests in 2008. Later this month, Goodwin is supposed to receive statewide honors from Mothers Against Drunk Driving for his efforts, Webb said.

Crime at School

During 2008, Michelle Lingenfelter, the city's School Resource Officer, responded to 143 incidents split almost evenly between Anderson Union High School and Anderson Middle School, according to Chief Webb. In order of frequency, incidents included fighting, alchohol and drugs, bullying, weapons, petty theft and vandalism.

Hiring Freeze

While Anderson's police department experienced a reduction in total calls for service during 2008, the reduction was primarily due to a hiring freeze that kept the department at 18 officers or two under what the full force had been in 2007, Webb said.

"We're funded by the city's general fund. We get a few grants here and there, but when property and sales taxes go down, the general fund goes down. Scott (Morgan) saw the trend coming and decided to freeze those two positions," Webb said.

"Due to economic conditions, it is expected that these two and five other vacant positions in other departments will be kept vacant at least through the end of the upcoming fiscal year. That is, at least through June 30, 2010, and probably well-into the following fiscal year as well, depending upon the speed and strength of the anticipated economic recovery," Morgan said.

The city council is not anticipating laying off any officers, Mayor Schaefer added.