Dear Editor, The story on crime statistics Feb. 10 leaves the
impression that crime in Gilroy is running completely
unchecked.
An Perspective on the Crime Statistics for the City from the Chief of Police
Dear Editor,
The story on crime statistics Feb. 10 leaves the impression that crime in Gilroy is running completely unchecked. The opinions expressed in the article are that the rise in crime is blamed upon the population increase and that officers have not been added to the department to keep up with the increase. Let’s stop discussing opinions and bring some facts into the discussion.
Fact: Over the last 10 years the population has increased more than 40 percent. Fact: Over the past 10 years the ratio of officers has dropped from 1.53 to 1.28. Fact: Total number of crimes in 1996 – 4,843, total number of crimes in 2006 – 4,845 a total increase of two crimes. So even though the population has increased by nearly 15,000 people (from 34,000 to 48,500) and the ratio of officers has slipped, the number of crimes has remained virtually the same.
The article pointed out that some crimes have increased. Those increases came mainly from property crimes, especially theft and auto theft. That is also a fact, but if property crimes are increasing and the number totals are flat, that means violent crimes are decreasing. And this is also true. Overall violent crime has decreased by 25 percent and in the case of aggravated assaults, there was a 56 percent decrease over the 10-year period. Instead of crime running unchecked, the citizens of Gilroy are in reality, much safer now then they were 10 years ago.
So what does all this mean? Very little. We are not as concerned about how we are doing, but instead how we are going to do in the future. It is unreasonable to panic and completely change the way the department functions based upon small changes in crime numbers.
Could we use more officers? Of course. I have never met a chief who would say “Council, we have more than enough, why don’t you take a few officers away from us.” But, I also know every other department in the city is in the same situation. The parks division, engineering, planning, streets, fire they all could use more people and resources. It would be easy if we all got everything we need. The trick here is to use the resources we are given, in the most efficient and effective way possible. We don’t need to constantly worry about what we don’t have. We need to be creative and think out of the box to utilize what we do have.
All that being said, I want to assure our citizens that all the members of the police department are concerned about crime. They work very hard to make Gilroy a safe place to live and work and will continue to do so in the future.
Gregory Giusiana, Gilroy Chief of Police
For the First Time, Columnist Made Sense
Dear Editor,
For the first time as a columnist, Lisa Pampuch made sense, saying, “Unenforceable laws breed disrespect for all laws.” Next she needs to justify why she continues to vote for do-gooders writing such laws. “Puh-lease.”
Nationally, the prison population is projected to grow by 200,000 in just a few years. California’s prisons are already so overcrowded they’re trying to outsource to other states (something just recently ruled “unlawful”). And yet our state and local legislators continue to write more laws and create more criminals. The state is trying to make it illegal to smoke in parks and on the beach.
Locally, the city claims there aren’t enough cops, but the council is even considering a noise ordinance, thanks to the worst mayor since Roberta Hughan, pandering to the whiners.
Maybe we can learn from the Palestinians; they have found the most effective way of dealing with control freaks.
Alan Viarengo, Gilroy
Recycling Thieves Arrested in Effective PD Response
Dear Editor,
I wanted to follow up on the letter I wrote regarding recycle theft this week through the Dispatch Web site. I sent a similar letter to the Gilroy Police Department with the suggestion that the City of Gilroy work with our disposal company on getting recycle cans with lids to discourage pilfering.
I wanted to follow up this Thursday and let the editor know that the Gilroy PD responded immediately and effectively. Two recycling thieves were apprehended this morning.
We are very grateful to the Gilory PD for their action this week.
The suggestion to get recycle cans with lids still stands. It would in the long run probably cost Gilroy less in police man/woman power than it would to implement recycle cans with lids.
C.L. Taylor, Gilroy
Thanks from the Middle School Band Leaders
Dear Editor,
Mr. Tom Brozene, Mr. Howard Miyata and Mr. Creighton Yip extend a heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Brownell, Solorsano and South Valley middle school bands to the following businesses for their generous donations to make the 13th annual pasta feed fundraiser held for the first time on Valentine’s Day, “The Sweetheart Pasta Feed” a success. A special thanks to all the families who volunteered their time and talent for without them this would not have been possible. A great time was had by all eating great food, being entertained by the middle school bands and enjoying an exciting raffle.
All Aboard Junction, Chili’s, Dutchman’s Pizza, Fast Dragon Asian Gourmet, Gilroy Bowl, Harvest Time, Home Town Buffet, La Roca Hair Design, Pinocchio’s Pizza #2, Platinum Theaters, Inc., Porcella’s Music, Predator’s Archery, Roks TKD, Stubby’s Sports Bar & Grill, Subway Sandwiches, Tassos and The Music Tree donated raffle prizes.
Arrowmark, the Brownell Parent Club, Costco, Dole Fresh Vegetables, Find Donors, Gilroy Foods, Goldstar Foods, McCormick Schilling, McDonald’s, Nob Hill Foods, Roma Bakery, Safeway and Sysco donated food items.
Thanks to all.
John Collett, Gilroy, Raffle Committee Chair
