Yesterday’s post regarding revitalizing downtown yielded some interesting comments. Several folks argued that safety was still a concern that keeps them from coming downtown, particularly after dark. Interestingly, I received a similar comment from an elected official yesterday afternoon while discussing some items only tangentially related to the city. Perception – that’s the bad news.Here’s the good news: Salisbury is safer today than it was last year. It’s even more so when compared to two years ago. Believe it or not, crime is down compared to 10 YEARS AGO.
Why is that? I think that most folks agree that acting chief Ivan Barkley and Chief Barbara Duncan have been positive influences on the Salisbury Police Department. But that’s only part of the solution. The “Safe Streets” initiative, originally proposed by councilwoman Terry Cohen (who identified the funding source), has proven to be a huge success even though it isn’t fully implemented yet.
Sure, the police are a part of this. Many people consider us the front line. However, the biggest part is re-connecting with the community. We’re starting to work together and we need to continue working together.It looks like Salisbury is a safer place. I’d love to say that it’s safer than ever; but I only have records for the last 10 years. One thing for sure – we’re a lot safer than we were even a decade ago.
A lot of times we sit back because something doesn’t affect us immediately. We all need need to look after one another.
11 comments:
I highly doubt that crime is down, it's much more likely that crime reporting is down. people are tired of wasting their time filing police reports that go nowhere!
I think that Chief Barbara Duncan has played a large role in this good news.
10:15, not true. Calls for service have been up. The city and the police have been encouraging people to call. I know I've been encouraged to call if I see anything that worries me. There is no way Ivan Barkley or Barbara Duncan are playing with the stats and underreporting.
I still take precautions, but I do feel a safer than I did.
Hmmmmm- not much diversity in that picture. We all know where the problem is. Same old same old. How about getting married and stop having one baby after another? Stop living on welfare even in a booming economy. Take care of your kids and stop letting them roam the streets. The crime is always in the same parts of Salisbury.
Thank you Jim Ireton!
Lol. I guess when you give your part one crime investigations to the Maryland State Police your stats will go down. Very smart move by Duncan. I do not think it says much for her investigative unit. The arrest of numerous gang members helps also. Keep the pressure on these thugs and things will get better.
I think the foot soldiers deserve the credit. It is easy to sit in a office all day and talk about what needs to be done. To be out there doing it is another story.
I still think a county police department is needed. It just makes sense.
The only ones who talk up crime in Salisbury are the ones who've never been off the Shore. I grew up in Salisbury, and the same places that were "problem areas" 25 years ago, are the same "problem areas" today. Non-existant urban planning. Good ol' boy network(No good jobs, gotta keep the regular folk down). The problems could be solved if the community at large stood up. Instead, the community seems to be willing to be bent over without even the prospect of a reach-around. For most, the best way to improve your future is to move off the Shore.
These comments are the perfection reflection of Salisbury. G.A. tells you crime is down 10% and you all can't do nothing but complain about it! Everyones a expert!
Chief Duncan is twice the man that Webster thought he was.
He was part of the problem.
I have moved away several times but always come back.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Chief Duncan is twice the man that Webster thought he was.
He was part of the problem.
July 14, 2011 12:26 PM
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Ain't that the truth!
And Terry Cohen is twice the man Ireton will ever be. The Daily Fish Wrapper didn't even mention your fact about how Safe Streets came to be here, G.A., in its glory story about that press conference last week.
There's a great letter in the paper today though. Can't believe they printed it. Says it all.
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