Serious crimes decrease in county
JANESVILLE — The Rock County Sheriff’s Office responded to fewer serious crimes in 2009, but assaults were up from the previous year.
Serious crimes—homicide, rape, robbery, burglary, assault, and theft—were down 7 percent in 2009 compared to 2008, Sheriff Bob Spoden said.
Assaults increased 16 percent, possibly because unemployment, foreclosures and other economic problems have led to more stress, domestic violence and fights, he said.
The sheriff’s office is responsible for law enforcement in areas of Rock County not covered by city and town police.
“Rock County is indicative of what you’re seeing across the country,” Spoden said. “Crime is on a downward trend.”
Nationwide, the crime rate is down, despite the belief the recession would boost crime.
Cmdr. Troy Knudson said people’s positive spirits have helped keep the crime rate down.
“I have been impressed with the community when you look at the situations some people are facing,” he said. “I think sometimes these hard times bring people together.”
The recession has caused people to stay home, travel less and spend less money on entertainment, Spoden said.
“That obviously is going to have an impact on crime if people aren’t on the streets,” he said.
The state also has a high incarceration rate and is holding bad guys in prison, Spoden said.
“The people that maybe would be engaged in bad behavior aren’t on the streets,” he said.
Targeted traffic enforcement and the special investigations unit also has helped reduce crime, Spoden said.
“I’m very proud of the professionalism of our deputy sheriffs,” he said.
The Janesville Police Department had a 24 percent drop in serious crimes in 2009 compared to 2008.
The crime rate could start rising again next year, but local aw enforcement agencies will be aggressive if problems arise, Spoden said.
Feb 28, 2010 at 9:50 p.m.
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Well, Napalm, I'll take the sheriff's hard figures over your rumor and anecdote any day. If you have reason to doubt his figures I suggest bringing it up at the next County Board meeting. Nationally, crime is down overall and there are a lot of potential reasons why including demographics. It hasn't risen during the recession even though that has sometimes happened in the past.
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gazettefan, I understand that some people have moral reasons for wanting to attribute crime to personal choices, but it simply doesn't make sense that people in Janesville suddenly became 16% less good. External factors are clearly present and to deny them is irrational and unscientific. This is not giving people who commit crimes an excuse. It is, however, giving us insight into what we need to address as a society.
Feb 28, 2010 at 9:17 a.m.
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Bobb1951 is right on! There is no help in this county for people in need that have no children. A close family member is going through the same struggle right now, husband and wife, hubby on unemployment, big bills and only $16 a month in food share, what kind of crap is that! My son is on a waiting list for BadgerCare and he will probably be waiting a long time. Very sad situation in Rock County.
Feb 28, 2010 at 9:10 a.m.
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Courts are always clogged, this is because the county always attempts to operate on a shoe string.
To attribute external conditions for a rise in the crime rate is to deny individual responsibility. One of the most sobering statements ever spoken is: our excuses only make us more of what we already are. Don't rationalize crime!
Feb 28, 2010 at 8:43 a.m.
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Here's a good one-
bobb1951
Feb 22, 2010 at 5:59 a.m.
Wait until spring arrives.More on the fringe lose unemployment benefits.With NO,ZERO,NADA help in Rock County for childless house holds of any size,people have to do what they must to EXIST.IF crime rates are so down,why are courts so back logged with criminal cases?
Feb 27, 2010 at 5:20 p.m.
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As I've noted before, in Janesville there was a huge drop in the semi-transient population of renters and hangers-on, from visual evidence. The Fourth Ward has generally been extremely quiet, particularly lacking the large groups of youths wandering between here and Look West. I'm not sure how many people that represents, but it definitely represents the core of what I usually would complain to the cops about.
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