The Antelope Valley Times

Your community. Your issues. Your news.

Palmdale officials tout crime drop

by •

PALMDALE – With a 17.79 percent decrease in the number of Part I crimes reported in the first quarter of 2016, Palmdale’s overall crime rate has dropped to 211 crimes per 10,000 population — down from 2015’s overall rate of 246 and a phenomenal drop from 1996’s crime rate of 467.71, city and public safety officials announced Tuesday.

For February and March 2016, the city’s crime rate was below 200, city officials said, citing Los Angeles County crime stats (found here).

“The crime reduction that we have continued to experience in the city of Palmdale is a direct result of a sustained collaborative effort involving the sheriff’s department, city staff, community involvement, and the support of our local leadership,”  stated Palmdale Sheriff’s Captain Dennis Kneer.  “We will continue working as a team to make Palmdale a safer community for all.”

When compared to the first quarter of 2015, homicides were down 50 percent, aggravated assault down 20 percent, burglary down 39 percent, robbery down 18 percent, larceny theft down 8 percent and grand theft auto down 16 percent. Areas with increases were arson, up to 13 incidents over 11 the prior year quarter, and rapes, which increased by 25 percent (partially due to a change in the FBI’s classification of this crime). There were 832 crimes in the first quarter of 2016, down from 1,012 in the first quarter of 2015.

“Public safety is a top priority in Palmdale,” stated Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford. “We have a long tradition of working together in our city — staff, law enforcement and our residents — through cooperative efforts, partnerships, neighborhood and business watch groups and just being good neighbors. What we’re seeing today is the fruit of those efforts.”

“Our Neighborhood Services Team is continually working to deliver our public safety message to the community in partnership with the deputies, and we find that the residents are engaging with us in that effort,” stated Palmdale’s director of Neighborhood Services, Mike Miller. “Our goal is to get and keep our crime rate below the 200 threshold, and we will continue to work with law enforcement, residents and business to target areas that need improvement.”

“These kinds of results are something that makes Palmdale even more favorable to new business development,” stated City Manager Jim Purtee. “We’re partnering with the community and other agencies to create a dynamic package of strong fiscal management, affordable options for businesses and families, great schools, vibrant retail options and even lower crime than before.”

For more information on Palmdale’s neighborhood services department, call 661-267-5181.

A link to the Los Angeles County crime stats can be found at: http://shq.lasdnews.net/CrimeStats/LASDCrimeInfo.html.

[Information via news release from the city of Palmdale.]

–

 

39 comments for "Palmdale officials tout crime drop"

  1. People touting Prop 47 as a success also seem to forget about AB
    109 and the impact it has had on the rising crime rates.

    One of my family members is a detective and these bottom feeder shoplifters will tabulate beforehand their thieving to keep it under $950 to keep it at misdemeanor AND will recite the law to arresting officers.

    I laugh at Tim crying about inmates getting overcharged for canteen items, a PRIVELEGE, when they haven’t had to for the court costs, often don’t pay restitution and don’t pay for the lost items they’ve have stolen or defrauded. They won’t go hungry and won’t miss Jerry Springer on the jail TV if they don’t buy hot fries or soups to make their nasty spread.

    • I laughed at you when your fellow fireman said “Yeah, I can guess who that is. Thanks for not holding him against the rest of us.”

    • And how much of that 1000% canteen mark up actually gets returned to the county or the victims? BTW, Shane, who is it that runs the canteen services for the jail? I mean, that money winds up in a certain someones pocket, maybe you’d care to tell everyone?

      • As I said elsewhere, in Fresno county the canteen company is 50% owned by a judges wife. Relatives and friends of law enforcement personnel are “in the know” for all these opportunities.

        Go to an auction of confiscated cars, if you can weasel out the info on when and where to find one. The bids are low because generally there’s no one there but off duty cops. Just be aware that if you try to grab a bargain away from them you will be subject to selective enforcement.

        • Well, Tim if you would use a feature called “Google” and typed in “police auctions Los Angeles” you would find many websites like this http://www.opgla.com/Auction/Auction.aspx

          You, Joe Public can see when, where and what cars are available for auction.

          It’s obvious you just make up your “facts” about off duty cops being the only ones with knowledge of auctions, or that somehow there’s some network for inside contracts and payouts because you can’t wrap your head around some honest people doing honest work.

          With that said, people use connections in life to make money. As long as it is legal, what do you care…well..other than protecting the inmates who make their living off of robbing, stealing, burglarizing and terrorizing their community. Let’s make sure those guys have it easy.

          • Cool. As I said, folks can now go to said auctions and see for themselves.

            Repeatable experimentation produces the best information.

            That’s why I hope people repeat my experiment with the next firemen they see.

        • Paleeeez Tim. Cleo Watts called BS on all your claims below, asked you to cite some sources, so far you’ve cited exactly zero. That was one of the most complete dismantlings I ‘ve read on this site. Also your “I talked to a fireman about Shane” is about as believable as your “my one cop friend said he would never step over the line but accepted my hatred of cops” routine.

  2. Well well well lookie here. Crime is down in Ole Palmdale. Crime is up in Ole Lancaster even tho Ole Rex and Ole Marv is spending $10 million of out Tax Dollars on that piece of crap Eye in the Sky. Instead of findin ways to lower crime Ole Rex and Ole Marv juss blame the homeless and pass stupid laws so that Dead Terrorists wont be buried here. That shore will keep crime down. Santa Clarita is Awesometown. Palmdale is Aerospace Vally or Bombertown. Lancaster is Stupid Town.

    • Captain Armchair, ladies and gentlemen. We’re hoping to hear him actually speak at a city council meeting sometime in the next century.

  3. Prop 47 doesn’t address the problem of repeat offenders. It allows them to simply roam free without consequence until that person is involved in a higher crime. Another simple fact about the “reporting.” Criminal don’t narc on criminals. It’s an unwritten rule. Criminals are becoming the majority.

    • @Tyson… yes, Prop 47 does address the problem of repeat offenders. Obviously you haven’t educated yourself on all that Prop 47 entails before you let your fingers swipe over your keyboard.

      First, not everyone is eligible to have their “qualifying” offense reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor due to disqualifying priors. Such exclusions are those with any PRIOR CONVICTIONS FOR “SERIOUS OR VIOLENT” OFFENSES OR THOSE WITH ANY PRIOR CONVICTIONS WHICH REQUIRE SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION.

      Furthermore, the COURT may deny a petition if it finds the defendant would pose an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety.

      Criminals are not the majority in California. Of the 38 million Californians, only 7 million (or 1 in every 4) have a criminal record.

      • Obviously, Michelle…math is not your strong suit. If 7 million out of 38 million are criminals that’s more like 1 in 5.

        Regardless, many of the drug offenders also have crimes like burglary, robbery, assault, petty theft Because they prefer a drug lifestyle over one of working and providing for yourself or your family. They have to steal and commit other offenses to be there habit. Let’s not forget that many of them choose this lifestyle so simply offering “rehab” in lieu of jail time doesn’t solve the criminal character flaw.

        Being a thief, liar, and general bottom feeder isn’t a disease, it’s a lifestyle.

        • @Shane Falco… My math is right on point per state statistics. However, your reading comprehension is a little to be desired as the key point is “criminal record”. The other 10 million have arrests that did not lead to prosecution/conviction. However, do you think law enforcement tells the individuals upon release that they are entitled to file a Petition to Seal & Destroy the arrest??? NO!

          • You have Zero credibility Michelle, so just stand down! Have you bothered to apologize to any of those elderly people you bilked out of their money yet?

          • @Ryan H… you must be a 50 or related to one to make such a comment. Stand down, really? NEVER. As for the victims of my crime in 2004, I personally wrote each of them a letter of apology including Bella. Unfortunately since my victims moved CDCR doesn’t have a forwarding address to send the money they are owed when I worked Camp 13 Malibu as I gave it all.

            As far as my credibility, you have no idea how that has been restored and how many lives have changed because of my organization AV-East Kern Second Chance. As a matter of fact Ryan, tomorrow marks our 3rd-year anniversary at the GROW office in Lancaster.

            Thank you for reaching out and sharing your feelings.

      • Why don’t we ask some of our major retailers how they feel Prop. 47 has impacted their business? And how do you think they make up for these losses due to theft? That’s Right, they charge all of us paying customers more!

        http://losspreventionmedia.com/insider/shoplifting-organized-retail-crime/is-the-rise-of-organized-retail-crime-a-product-of-soft-sentencing/?mqsc=E3835412&utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=LPM%20List+LPM%20Insider&utm_campaign=Insider%20Daily%20050916

        • Quote from your source:

          “Little was discussed concerning the many states that are moving forward with non-prison sentencing for nonviolent crimes or the early release from prison for those criminals.”

          So apparently if we “ask some of our major retailers” they are going to say “we don’t really give that much of any thought since there are clearly more pressing things for us to think about.”

          If you are going to cite a source perhaps you should make sure it supports the position that you are trying to take. An article about organized retail crime that mentions “soft sentencing” in the subtitle for click bait and then specifically mentions that it isn’t actually about soft sentencing isn’t what you were really looking for.

          • Maybe you should at least take the time to read the things you link. Again, from your source:

            “Public Policy Institute of California researcher Magnus Lofstrom noted a troubling increase in property crime in California’s largest cities in the first half-year after Proposition 47 took effect. Preliminary FBI crime reports show a 12 percent jump in larceny-theft, which includes shoplifting, but he said it is too early to determine what, if any, increase is due to the ballot measure.”

            The FACT stated in the article is that it is too early to determine anything, but that doesn’t make a good click bait headline.

            Is organized retail crime a problem? Absolutely. Does prop 47 have anything to do with making it worse? Extremely doubtful. If you are recruiting homeless people to steal stuff from stores “stay under 950” isn’t part of the pitch.

            The “we need to jail a homeless guy for stealing an apple so we can get him out of sight and off the BLVD” crowd can rave all they want, but what is missing is an organized retail crime law and the will to enforce it. Fat lazy cops want to get credit for a felony bust for rounding up the homeless guy, not go to the effort of sorting out the operational ring that is actually making all the money…because oftentimes that operational ring consists of friends and family of cops.

          • Any evidence there, Timmy, that cops and/or families of cops are involved in theft rings? Or is that just another little something you pulled out of your a$$? Hopefully you can provide some names a little faster than you provided us the names of our “numerous” local deputies that are allegedly assigned here due to disciplinary reasons. What’s it been….a year or so now since you made that claim? Still waiting… crickets.

          • Still waiting for you to have anything to say on any subject other than me Cleo. Your slavish devotion is really tiresome. Get your mom to let you talk to strangers other than on the internet and expand your horizons.

            As to evidence…you’re the one who assumes I move in criminal circles…maybe give me the benefit of the doubt on having learned something there.

            The big money made from crime is almost always connected to law enforcement. The traffic school scams are fed by cops writing tickets…and to get licensed to operate a traffic school there’s nothing better to put on your application than a relation to law enforcement.

            The canteen in the Fresno County jail, selling basic mini-mart stuff at eight to ten times the price at the mini-mart…contract held for years by a company co-owned by the wife of a local judge.

            The new “sure you get a phone call as long as the people you call prepay for the service, and the opening amount is way more than you are likely to use” phone service scam…founders of the phone service company collecting all the loot are former law enforcement and family members.

            The people close to law enforcement are the ones in a position to find the ways to exploit money from it.

            The organizers of retail crime understand the law. They know how to ensure that other people take the risks while they reap the profits. How do you think they figure that stuff out, Cleo? Where does their understanding of law and law enforcement come from?

            Talk to criminals Cleo, you’ll learn stuff about your badged heroes that you don’t want to know. But of course with mommy telling you to only type at strangers and not talk to them your opportunities are limited.

          • Finally Tim! Now we are finally getting somewhere. I applaud you finally admitting your connection to the criminal element. Whether it’s your own history or that of a family member, it helps me understand your hatred of law enforcement. Now to your points: Do you really believe cops give 2 $hits about the money generated by the tickets they write? They are getting paid either way. Do you see the amount of pedestrian AND vehicle fatalities in this Valley? We all hate getting tickets but the rational amongst us know that’s usually the only thing that makes us think twice before violating again. Many on this site clamor for more traffic enforcement, which leads me to ask:How many traffic schools have you tried to open? Were you turned down because you had no “cop friends” to list as references? Can you cite your source showing who owns traffic schools? There’s got to be thousands in California, how many are owned by cops/family of cops? Otherwise, that claim looks without merit. I Googled your Fresno canteen claim, but couldn’t find a link. Not saying it’s false, just didn’t see a link in the first few pages of search results. If it’s illegal for anyone in the judicial system to own the canteen company, then those involved should be charged. To me personally,it doesn’t look good, but lots of legal things don’t look good to me. The phone call system? Again, is it owned by cops and/or family members? If so, prosecute it, if not, still doesn’t look good, so set up your own system and sell it to the county. You did a great job of making my points for me when you said “talk to criminals, you’ll learn some stuff.” You want us to feel bad that inmates are paying an inflated price for their bag of Flaming Hot Cheetos, or their phone calls to home? They receive all the food they NEED. That’s their CHOICE to get junk food from a vending machine. That’s their choice to call home and talk for hours at inflated rates. Four words:don’t come to jail! Not really sure how all this classifies as retail crime. Maybe you should check with loss prevention at our stores here in the Valley, and see if they agree with you on Prop 47. Tim, you seem to think our justice system is great when a cop gets prosecuted, but then it sucks when every other crook gets convicted. You also rant on this site about the immense backing you get from the public with your anti-law enforcement sentiment and your (imaginary) insults towards cops (and now firemen too), but in reality, you have very few supporters on this site, and even fewer of those few can piece together an intelligible sentence. Like I said though, I do applaud your honesty, finally, even if it’s only “your truth” instead of “the” truth.

  4. YEA I WOULD FIGURE IN A TOWN OF CROOKED COPS AND A DIPS*** AS MAYOR WHO DONT CARE WHO THE ARREST IF ITS THE RIGHT GUY OR NOT

  5. Let’s be happy that crime has gone down a bit. Report suspicious activity and become involved in neighborhood watch

  6. NO, It’s because the real GRIM SLEEPERS gang friends are either in jail or on probation, or he don’t have a lot of money to pay them to sell his drugs or do his CRIMINAL Deeds…

  7. Sounds like the benefits and rehab, life/job skills programs promised by Prop47 must be working.

    • @Marie… Yes, Prop 47 has been a success. On January 7, 2016 Gov. Brown announced the states first-year savings resulting from the implementation of Prop 47 was $29.3 million. Thank you voters who believed in this Proposition.

      • Is the savings worth the increase in crimes and the decrease in arrests for some crimes? Solving one problem while creating another isn’t success, it’s moving the problem from one area to another. Just because crime in one city is down doesn’t erase the crimes rates going up in the States biggest cities.

        • While crime rate data is interesting, it is impossible to make clear determinations of cause. “Crime rates up in California’s largest cities” does not necessarily weigh in your question “Is the savings worth the increase in crime?” Crime rates are up in the largest cities in pretty much every state, not just California, so attributing that to Prop 47 is a stretch…just like attributing crime being down in Palmdale when it is up in many other California cities to Prop 47 is a stretch.

          It MAY be that Palmdale is making better use of Prop 47 than other cities. Or it MAY be that Palmdale is doing something else entirely that is driving down the crime rate. Or it MAY be just dumb luck.

          What we do know is that Prop 47 has created a substantial savings, and that the effect on crime rates is impossible to assess because there are so many other factors.

          • So thousands of low level criminals are released and it’s just a coincidence crime spiked? What I mean by the savings, is the amount of money being saved worth the increase in money lost due to crimes?

          • If by coincidence you mean two things with no sure connection that happen at the same time, then maybe it is a coincidence.

            But you seem convinced there is a causal connection. So, how do you explain that crime has similarly “spiked” in dozens of states that Prop 47 has no way to have any impact on? You are making a causal connection to fit your narrative, in my opinion. Whatever the cause of this “spike” it has to be something more broad than Prop 47.

          • @Jason… obviously you are avoiding the question I posed to you… show me the evidence that released low level offenders are committing the crimes. Point is, you can’t. What you should be concerned about is the City of Lancaster, i.e Fern Street Mafia is trying to financially capialize on Prop 47 by making these now misdeanors into administative fines for the city in their Kangaroo Administrative Court. Don’t think the DA’s office is on the same page.

          • @Tim, When you have law enforcement saying they are arresting the same people over and over for the same crimes and facing little to no jail time, is that a casual connection? In 2014 crimes in San Francisco were down yet after prop 47 they went up. What would you say the cause is? And what happens in other states has no bearing what happens here.

            @Michelle prove to me they aren’t. The state has seen an increase in crime rates but you seem to think it has nothing to do with the inmates released under this bill.

            And as far as your treat the addict and crime will decrease mantra goes, kind of hard for that to happen when that part of the bill hasn’t even occurred yet. So if these people aren’t getting treatment, LE has no way to force them now with the penalties being reduced, crime rates have gone up is the program really a success?

        • @ Jason… show me the evidence that crime has increased since the passage of Prop 47. You can’t. I never said Prop 47 was a total solution to California’s problem of mass incarceration, but the evidence is there that the citizens are tired of the mandatory sentencing laws passed by our elected officials in Sacramento that put us in the problem we’re in. Now the people took over and we are proving change.

          Furthermore, I am proud of LASD Lancaster and Palmdale stations as their DUI checkpoints are a preventive way of combating crime. I’ve said many times that if you treat the addict, you reduce the crime rate and that’s aproven fact.

          • Lol look it up, the numbers are out there about crime rates since the bill was passed.

            Except the addicts aren’t getting treatment because the crimes are now misdemeanors and there’s nothing there to make them get treatment. They get a ticket and are free to go commit more crimes.

        • This is true. Perhaps cities should quit wasting taxpayer dollars on political novelties like LEAPS and focus on what really works in lowering crime.

          • LEAPS isn’t a “political novelty.” Delivering that kind of payoff contract to a crony has been a staple of corrupt city politics for decades.