Six-month crime statistics show no dramatic change
By Jason Baker
The number of crimes reported in Los Gatos through the month of June remained relatively static in comparison to figures from the first six months of 1998.
A report released by Los Gatos-Monte Sereno police showed total "Type 1" offenses reported for January through June 1999 increased slightly from 366 to 373, or 2 percent. Type 1 offenses include homicides, rape, assault, robbery, burglary, theft and grand theft auto.
Reports of rape, robbery and auto theft through June decreased in comparison to the previous six-month period. Reported auto theft showed the most significant drop, down from 24 cases in '98 to 18 in '99.
"We live in a safe community," Chief Larry Todd said. "The figures are consistent year after year. Our reports of serious crimes are relatively low because we have a small population."
The San Jose area remains one of the safest metropolitan areas in the country, thanks in part to its well-educated citizenry, Todd said.
"We don't have the same level of gang problems and violence that other areas of comparable size have," Todd said. "We still have our share of crime, but it's nothing for residents to be fearful of."
Reports of assault, burglary and theft increased slightly, with theft reports up from 230 to 238, reported burglaries up from 86 to 94, and reported assaults up slightly from 18 to 20 for the six-month period. Reported residential burglaries, however, decreased from 41 to 34 during the comparison period.
"We have our share of burglaries and theft. No one likes to have the sanctity of their home violated. The best advice I can recommend is taking a common sense approach."
Residents who leave their houses unlocked or valuables in plain sight in their cars present a temptation that is hard for criminals to resist, he said. "If you have something of value, it's not prudent to leave it lying in plain sight. And we live in an environment where you should never leave your house unlocked while you're away."
While reported crimes in Los Gatos remained relatively constant, total Type 1 crimes in Monte Sereno decreased 5 percent from 19 to 18, reports showed. Reported burglaries increased slightly from four to nine, but overall theft showed a drop from 11 reported cases to six in the six-month period. No homicides, robberies or rapes were reported in Monte Sereno through June of '99.
Todd said tougher legislation, including California's "three-strike" law, has impacted crime numbers statewide.
"Career criminals are being put away and kept in jail for a long time," he said. "It's had a definite positive effect. But for those who commit crimes, it hasn't been so positive."
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
