COMMUNITY EFFORTS CAN CUT CRIME RATE

Although the sharp increase in the number of burglaries in Sheboygan
can be attributed in large part to three men committing about 100 of
these crimes, there is still reason to be concerned.

There were 452 reported burglaries in Sheboygan in 2007, an increase
of 34 percent from the year before, according to a story in
Wednesday's Sheboygan Press.

It's not only the number of burglaries that should have Sheboygan
residents concerned, it is the brazenness of some burglars who break
into homes while people are sleeping or commit their crimes in broad
daylight.

Sheboygan's burglary rate is going in the opposite direction of what
is happening nationwide. According to national statistics from the
FBI burglaries were down 3.7 percent between 2006 and 2007.

Clearly, Sheboygan's rising burglary rate is not good news for a city
needing to attract new businesses to boost the local economy. It also
hurts the city's efforts in the growing tourism industry in this area.

While some would merely blame the crime increase on an influx of
minorities into the community, this is myopic reasoning that does
nothing to help solve the problem.

Like other communities of its size, Sheboygan also has a growing
problem with drugs and gang activity, both of which likely play a
part in the rise in the burglary rate. Police will tell you there is
a direct correlation between burglaries and drug use, since the
burglar often uses the money from his or her crime to buy drugs.

If Sheboygan is to put up a fight against these crimes, the people
living here need to become active in the battle.

The Sheboygan Police Department has recently grown by six more
officers, but even with an expanded department cops can't be
everywhere. But concerned and caring people -- those who have pride
in their community and a willingness to get involved -- can be
everywhere and can be an effective tool in crime fighting.

We've already seen success from the Neighbors Against Drugs effort
that uses public awareness and pressure to target the places where
drug dealers live and drive them out of the area.

Neighborhood Pride groups have spring up in the central part of
Sheboygan where groups of concerned residents spend time cleaning up
litter and debris to improve the overall appearance and give the area
a greater sense of community.

CrimeStoppers is yet another way for people to help police in
tracking down criminals, by giving police tips on criminal activity.

Individuals can also take steps to prevent burglaries. Homeowners can
make their property as uninviting to burglars as possible. Keeping
shrubbery trimmed back so a burglar can't use it as a shield while
breaking in or installing motion-detecting lights, are just some of
the ways to prevent crime. Keeping your eyes and ears open to
suspicious activity -- and reporting it to police -- are also
valuable tools in crime prevention.

There is no one factor that causes crime and there is no single way
to prevent it. But through a concerned and alert public, aggressive
law enforcement efforts, forceful prosecution by the district
attorney's office and harsh sentencing from judges, Sheboygan will be
less vulnerable to criminals.