Los Gatos Weekly-Times Local crime statistics reflect trend for statewide decrease By Michelle Alaimo Los Gatos is keeping up with a statewide trend of decreasing crime, according to statistics released by the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department. Total offenses reported for the 1998 year are down 20 percent compared with the year before for "Type I" crimes. Type I includes homicide, rape, assault, robbery, burglary, theft and grand theft auto. Chief Larry Todd, however, said that lower crime figures do not mean the community is immune from its share of crime. "We had increases in all categories of crimes against a person, except homicide," he said. This includes rape, which increased from two cases to six for 1998. Some of those cases are still under investigation, Sgt. Michael Barbieri, said. Assaults were up three to a total of 42, and homicides were down from one to zero. "One area I'm obviously concerned about is the increase in rapes," Todd said. "Those violent acts could end up in homicides." Although crimes against a person were up in 1998, crimes against property were down. Overall, thefts decreased from 590 to 464 cases , and burglaries from 196 to 148, in 1997. Barbieri said he thinks some of the decreases can be attributed to the state's three-strikes law. "It keeps people who are creating a problem in custody." He said that police departments are seeing the results of career criminals being kept off the streets. He added that police coverage in Los Gatos is very thorough, which makes it harder for criminals to commit crimes. Barbieri said the LG-MSPD has also arrested a number of bank robbers and career criminals who were responsible for multiple crimes. Possible other reasons for the decrease in criminal behavior include a good economy and a smaller agegroup of 14 to 24 years who are the main contributors to crime, Todd said. [ Back to Contents Page | Los Gatos Weekly-Times Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, January 27, 1999. ©1999 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.