Report: River City Crime on the Rise
By: Eugene Daniel
Updated: May 14, 2012
PEORIA- Kelvin Patterson watches his sister's Peoria home on Ellis St. while she's away. He's been on the lookout, ever since someone tried to break in last month..
"She has a 3 year old daughter," he said. " She felt unsafe because, like I said, they run in. They knock, try to [break in] and they just come in."
Patterson says it's become too common in the area. More and more, homes are being burglarized. It never used to be this way.
"Outside of the little shootings and stuff, It ain't never been that bad. You know you can't just really lay in your house. I mean it's kind of sad," said Patterson.
But Peoria Police say this is a trend throughout the city.
Police released its first quarter crime index. Property crimes, including burglaries, arson, theft and motor vehicle theft, are up nearly 20 percent. Overall, crime is up 21 percent from this time last year. Burglaries, alone, are up nearly 50 percent year-to-date.
Some good news, police say murders are down, but there's still cause for concern.
"For us it's a plus that murders down and serious injury type crimes are down. But when property crimes and things like that go up. That's a problem for people in the neighborhood and it's a problem for us," said Capt. Mike Scally, with Peoria Police Department.
More cops patrol areas like Ellis St. But that doesn't make Patterson feel safe. He says he never thought Peoria would end up like this.
"I would figure it'd be more toward the south end or north end, never on the hill top. But you know it's all over Peoria now," he said.
Peoria Police say warmer weather plays a part in the increase of crime. It says nicer weather prompts people to leave their homes more often, and gives criminals easier access.
Aggravated assaults and robberies have also seen increases in the city.
"She has a 3 year old daughter," he said. " She felt unsafe because, like I said, they run in. They knock, try to [break in] and they just come in."
Patterson says it's become too common in the area. More and more, homes are being burglarized. It never used to be this way.
"Outside of the little shootings and stuff, It ain't never been that bad. You know you can't just really lay in your house. I mean it's kind of sad," said Patterson.
But Peoria Police say this is a trend throughout the city.
Police released its first quarter crime index. Property crimes, including burglaries, arson, theft and motor vehicle theft, are up nearly 20 percent. Overall, crime is up 21 percent from this time last year. Burglaries, alone, are up nearly 50 percent year-to-date.
Some good news, police say murders are down, but there's still cause for concern.
"For us it's a plus that murders down and serious injury type crimes are down. But when property crimes and things like that go up. That's a problem for people in the neighborhood and it's a problem for us," said Capt. Mike Scally, with Peoria Police Department.
More cops patrol areas like Ellis St. But that doesn't make Patterson feel safe. He says he never thought Peoria would end up like this.
"I would figure it'd be more toward the south end or north end, never on the hill top. But you know it's all over Peoria now," he said.
Peoria Police say warmer weather plays a part in the increase of crime. It says nicer weather prompts people to leave their homes more often, and gives criminals easier access.
Aggravated assaults and robberies have also seen increases in the city.
