Crime in Lake Forest in 2013 - Part 2 Crimes

Yesterday  we looked at Part 1 crimes. We reported that Lake Forest had fewer total Part 1 crimes and solved more of them, when 2013 was compared to 2011-2012. That’s good news. On a comparative basis we improved in our rank, from #8 to #6. That’s good too. Despite the overall decrease, we saw increases in murders, forcible rapes, and robberies, and our totals for murder and forcible rapes were the highest for any city in South Orange County.

PART 2 CRIMES

Part 2 crimes are considered less serious and include vandalism, drunkenness, disorderly conduct, forgery, vehicular manslaughter, fraud, etc. These may be less serious than Part 1 crimes, but they are still cause for concern.

Here’s the number of crimes per 100,000 people for Part 2 crimes in 2013

1. Laguna Woods – 741

2. RSM – 1297

In 2011-12 we were 7th and in 2013 we were also 7th. The crime rate in 2011-12 was 2,650 and in 2013 it was 2,422, so there was a modest improvement in number, although our rank remains the same.

CHANGE IN PART 2 CRIMES

Throughout the country, crime in 2013 was lower than in 2012. This was also true in Southern Orange County.  Seven of the 10 cities under study had less Part 2 crimes in 2013 than they did in 2012. The greatest decrease on a percentage basis was RSM (-16%) and the biggest increase was Laguna Woods (23%). The average was -3% and Lake Forest was -6%.

Although the total number of Part 2 crimes were down (1,872 vs. 1,995), not all Part 2 crimes were lower. In 2013 we had more Vehicular Manslaughter, Forgery, Weapons Laws Violations, Offenses Against a Child, Narcotics Violations, and DUIs than in 2012. The figures are –

• Vehicular Manslaughter – 1 vs. 0

• Forgery – 27 vs. 22

• Weapons Laws Violations – 57 vs. 42

• Offenses Against Child – 21 vs. 8

SOLVING PART 2 CRIMES

Here’s the report card for solving Part 2 crimes

1. San Clemente – 73%

2. LAKE FOREST – 72%

3. Dana Point – 72%

4. Mission Viejo – 67%

5. SJC – 66%

Lake Forest was 5th in 2011-12 and 2nd in 2013 which is a dramatic improvement. In 2011-12 we cleared 63% and in 2013 we cleared 72% - very impressive indeed.

SUMMARY

 On Part 2 crimes Lake Forest had fewer total crimes and solved more of them, when 2013 is compared to 2011-2012. On a comparative basis, our crime rate indicated that most cities in South Orange County had fewer Part 2 crimes than we did, and we remained in 7th place out of 10 cities, which is nothing to be proud of. OTOH our clearance rate increased dramatically from 63.5% to 72% and we moved up in rank from 5th to a tie for 2nd place at a very respectable 72%.

Tomorrow we’ll sum up.