Concord Crime Reports - Where’s the proof?
Categories: Concord Feature News
Written By: Concord Blogger
I don’t think I want to get into the habit of dissecting other bloggers posts but I read one recently that really got me scratching my head. Over at a popular Concord blog Claycord there was a “press release” stating that Concord crime was declining. Immediately something caught my eye about this “Press Release”from the Concord Police Department.
If this was a real “Press Release” that Claycord had gotten a hold of then why is there an obvious page break in it? I think that this was not an actual press release but just some information that somehow was sent around and he decided to add the Concord Police logo for effect. I have searched far and wide for a copy of this press release and if it exists online then even the great power of Google can’t see it regardless of what searches I ran.
If crime in Concord is really declining even with all the news of bank robberies and drive-bys then I guess I can sleep better at night. I would think that local media not just blogs would be highlighting this information as well. Even the CC Times would publish something about this to fill a column up in the paper. Another interesting thing I saw was that this report only covers the first 6 months of 2008 where the numbers for 2007 are for the same time period. The issue with this is the crimes are not all listed if you look at the complete picture of last years crime in Concord and you do the math, something just doesn’t fit. Here are the numbers that I pulled right of the DOJ website. You can see it here.
| State | City | Population |
| Ca | Concord | 122,202 |
| Violent crime | 492 | |
| Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter |
3 | |
| Forcible rape | 13 | |
| Robbery | 270 | |
| Aggravated assault | 206 | |
| Property crime | 4,998 | |
| Burglary | 816 | |
| Larceny-theft | 2,970 | |
| Motor vehicle theft | 1,212 | |
| Arson1 | 23 |
Key points from this are that this report IS the real deal. The types of crimes shown through the DOJ are the ones that should have been in this Press Release. Larceny-Theft is way off unless the second half of 2007 was a time where criminals were going gang busters on the city. Property Crime is not listed on this press release either along with the number of violent crimes.
So the “press release” may be an initial finding but I can’t seem to understand the discrepincies in the data. Maybe new crimes are being reported, maybe this is not really a press release but some communication that was supposed to make the people feel better.
If it is legit, I would like to see where it came from and why certain crimes reported by the UCR are not listed. I think this Press Release, if it is real is only highlighting the positives and keeping out the crimes that have risen this year.
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October 16th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
It would appear that the Mayor of Claycord is working with the Concord police department command staff to deceive the public. I have spoken to Concord police officers on duty, they’ve told me that they’re overwhelmed by crime and would really appreciate help from the Sheriff’s office or the C.H.P. The officer i spoke to was female. I have tried to talk to male officers from the Concord police department. I cannot think of one postive contact with them. This department is dominated by apathy and incompetence. There should be news soon of the settlement of the 2 former female officers who sued the Concord P.D. for sexual discrimination, harrassment, other misc. crimes. I hope you cover it.
October 16th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Something is fishy and I don’t know if any others had caught it. This information looks fabricated at best and is just propaganda by ’someone’ to make the city look safer than it is. If the CPD really wanted to show some numbers, they would make a REAL press release that gave the details, not pass this off to some website in hopes it draws attention away from the real issues facing the city. Suer some numbers went down but if that is the case then why not give all the crime stats? Why not let the people know whats happening in Concord?
October 16th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Hi Koka,
Actually it is real. I also received a press release. I think MC simply truncated it - it was long. And for the record it was mailed to about forty media outlets - at least that was the address list on the top of the email.
CPD did make note that crime is down, although the recent spate of burglaries hardly demonstrates that effectively.
As a military man, I’m sure you would be the first to back up those on the front lines. CPD does a great job for the resources available. It is easy for blog readers to pass judgment on them, until THEY need to make that call and find out the police are there. The poster JOHN two above - I do not know who you choose to talk to - I deal with CPD all the time in my business and find them not only approachable but more that happy to talk about what they do. That is not to say that they are perfect - like any organization they have their problems. I just believe that it makes more sense to work with your PD than to piss on them?
Peace.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
MisterWriter, if somebody is pissing it’s not me. MC’s site has had plenty of people writing detailed complaints that should be investigated. It’s a shame that Concord ’s citizens don’t trust their own P.D. There is no way any informed resident of this town could claim that CPD is on the front line against crime. That title can be claimed by Antioch who are being sued by every civil rights group around. That shows they are in the business of protecting and serving the law abiding public not catering to a bunch of hoodlums. For a department that is so allegedy poorly staffed why is it so common to see 2,3 or 4 patrol cars parked at substations? Please prove me wrong, post the crime arrest statistics if you can get them. I noticed that you didn’t mention the case by the 2 former female officers. You should check it out and get informed, of course it will take time to get over the shocking allegations.
October 16th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Be careful if you are calling me uninformed. And aside from whining here - what are you doing to change things? Discussion over. It is always easier to just be in attack mode.
October 16th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
You guys crack me up with the conspiracy theories. Why make assumptions about something you know nothing about.
John, you have no clue. Where should I start?
“It’s a shame that Concord ’s citizens don’t trust their own P.D.” I seem to remember reading that their approval rating was something like 93%. That’s a lot of people who trust their PD. Not many other departments in cities this large can say the same.
“There is no way any informed resident of this town could claim that CPD is on the front line against crime. That title can be claimed by Antioch who are being sued by every civil rights group around.”
They are a good department who’s new chief is bringing things in the right direction but definitely have some catching up to do to be on the same level as Concord. Have you seen their crime stats or approval ratings from the citizens?
“For a department that is so allegedy poorly staffed why is it so common to see 2,3 or 4 patrol cars parked at substations?”
Who said they were understaffed? I remember reading in the media that they are actually OVER staffed for the first time in decades. And the reason they are at the substations is because that is where they write their reports, search warrants, do research on criminals….I could go on and on. What do you think they are doing in there?
“I noticed that you didn’t mention the case by the 2 former female officers. You should check it out and get informed, of course it will take time to get over the shocking allegations.”
Did you know them? I knew one of them and am not surprised at this at all. She never had any problems with anyone at work until she started getting in trouble for not doing her job. If you worked a real job for a living you would realize this happens all the time in corporations and in the private sector. Look up how many sexual harassment lawsuits are filed every year.
And Koka,
I’m not surprised about you stealing another story idea from Claycord. If you were a real media source, you would have gotten the same press release that dozens of other news agencies received. I guess it’s easier to just sling mud at the (much more successful) competition.
I’m sure you won’t post this though. You wouldn’t want your readers to know the truth, would you?
October 16th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Mister Writer, You will NEVER hear me say anything negative about the CPD as a whole. First as an ex-soldier I have a special respect for anyone wearing a uniform that deals with the ass end of society on a regular basis. Second I have many friends that went from MP to PD and I wouldn’t want them reading this thinking I have gone off my rocker. There will be exceptions for the officer that gets out of line but for the most part, as you pointed out, the men and women on the front lines deserve nothing but respect and support from the community. I was digging through the UCR and looking at actual Concord Police data and based on the number of officers in the city, they have been doing a good job with the resources they have. Police departments watch crime stats the way I watch trends in my own business. Having a drop in crime is something to be proud of but I also believe in sharing the good with the bad. Let the people know what has gone up and provide the information for the community to help and be more informed.
As I mentioned in the post, if the press release is real then it’s only providing the positives which I guess is the point of a ‘press release’. I just wanted to be sure it was legit and not some propaganda being passed around to make people sleep better at night. A screen shot of a truncated press release does not make me feel any better.
The first line of the post was made for a reason. I am not going be dissect every post that comes up, that’s not a format I want to be molded into. For the most part, I have been very impressed with the info from the Claycord site. The guy is well connected and that’s respectable. But in my short time in this local blogging scene, I have read about more crime in this city than I knew existed and then seeing a press release basically telling me something completely different than I had believed took me off guard.
…as for your conversation with John, I’ll leave that between the two of you. This story of sexual discrimination sounds like something I want to know more about though.
Concord Blogger’s last blog post..Concord Crime Reports - Where’s the proof?
October 16th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
John Doe - Your comment posted. Why wouldn’t I let you comment? As for stealing another story, nothing was stolen, I am just giving my opinion to another post.
Concord Blogger’s last blog post..Concord Crime Reports - Where’s the proof?
October 17th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Read the complaint. It explains everything. When the city settles for millions of dollars some will have alot of explaining to do. I will feel bad for those who try to do their jobs. Mr. Koka isn’t the only one who has worn a uniform. Whether your in the military or law enforcement that uniform is supposed to be a constant reminder of what you represent it’s not just a piece of clothing.Telling the truth isn’t always popular but it’s the honorable thing to do. That seems to have gotten lost in todays society. I have heard of these surveys. I have asked my friends if they know anything about them. Amazingly not one person has ever seen one. Most of my friends are people of color as am I. That may explain why we don”t receive them. I am a small business owner too. I will continue to report what i see and hear. If my truth bothers you go stick your head in the sand. I care about my community and i want the best for it. I can assure you there are 2 America’s. The treatment i receive from a local official may be different than what you may receive. When i report that difference it doesn’t make it any less true. What is allowed to go on in minority areas of Concord would never be permitted in white areas. If you think this is unintentional, i can’t help you.
October 17th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Thanks for the link Mayor, Concord now exceeds Compton calif. in the catagories of motor vehicle theft,larceny and property crimes. This is the same Compton that is the birthplace of the crips and the bloods gangs. This city is so violent gangsta rap artists write music about it. Something is very wrong here. I don’t blame the cops for what the crimials do. I blame the cops for not arresting them. Why won’t those in power provide arrest statistics? What are they trying to hide or protect? If they’re on the up and up so to speak, then let us see.
October 17th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
John, thanks for pointing that out. I was going to do something like that for a follow up post. I don’t share your sentiment for the CPD though. I do think they are doing what they can with whats available to them. I would like to see something from the Mayor (the real one) or the Chief discussing whats been happening in the city and what their plan is to stop it.
Concord Blogger’s last blog post..Concord Crime Reports - Where’s the proof?
October 17th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Have any of you went to the front desk at the Police Department and asked for the stats? Or how about going to one of the open meetings with Mayor Shinn?
I would guess not since it’s much easier to just complain about it.
October 19th, 2008 at 8:50 am
I have called CPD. I was told I had to have a media pass to get one. I have called Mayor Shinn’s office. That was like talking to the wall. Any other suggestions? Do they have arrest statistics available? I’m betting they don’t, not one person on any blog has a copy.
October 20th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Yes they are available. I’ve gotten them before.
And John, Mayor Shinn has open office days and anyone can meet with him. Are you saying you tried to do this and were told he wouldn’t meet with you? I didn’t have any problem meeting with him. Based on your negative postings here, I’m betting that you are the problem not the people in Mayor Shinn’s office.
So if something isn’t on a blog, it doesn’t exist? You must have a narrow view of the world.
October 20th, 2008 at 11:54 am
You have arrest statistics? Why can’t you forward them to this site so he can post them. I’m betting you think anyone who doesn’t agree with you is the problem. We should all line up like sheep? I’ll await your forwarding of the arrest stats, although I won’t hold my breath! (laughing) I guess having an open office means he’ll help?
October 20th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I talked with a CPD officer over the weekend. They also explained getting information from the field offices would be a good first step. It was also explained that all the information is generalized and they don’t give out very much detail. I guess it’s better than nothing.
Another interesting fact they pointed out about getting crime stats online is that a crime such as “vehicle theft” are vague. A crime like vehicle theft could turn out to be a spouse taking the car, a repo or any number of things that are not actual theft. Based on the information being skewed, they took the data offline since it looked like there where more crimes than there were.
As for Shinn’s open office hours. I would like to meet the man behind the curtain but since I like most people work during his office hours it will never happen.
Concord Blogger’s last blog post..Concord Bradley Video Closing
October 21st, 2008 at 10:14 pm
I guess those types of occurrences only happen in Concord? Potentially false increases in crime stats? Something is very wrong. Where is John Doe now? Where’s the crime stats?
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Do you seriously think I’m going to waste my time typing all the stats into here so you don’t have to drag your lazy ass down to the PD or a substation? Are you that lazy?
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:16 pm
You can’t scan and email them? You don’t have them do you? More lies! You’re making a fool of yourself. THE ARREST STATISTICS DON’T EXIST !
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:40 am
No I don’t have a scanner at home. Do you want to buy me one? Or better yet, get off your lazy ass and go down and get them yourself. So let me get this straight…if you are too lazy to go get something, then it doesn’t exist? You are one lazy person. You make the rest of us people of color look bad. It’s much easier to complain than to take action. It’s people like you that made Compton such a great city.
October 23rd, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Not a single person has one. You are the only person who is claiming to have arrest statistics. If they were available websites would’ve posted them already to use as talking points. You stick your head in the sand with the rest of your redneck buddies. Go get a job so you can afford a scanner. Help yourself and get out of the trailer park it’s destroying your brain.
October 24th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
John, you still don’t get it. I have them and my friend, who runs a neighborhood watch, has them too. I didn’t know Montecito had a trailer park and sorry to disappoint you but I’m not a redneck either.
Maybe you and your fellow should stop bitching and blaming everyone else and get involved in improving the community. But you are probably too busy running your “small business” (probably selling weed). Maybe if you weren’t so lazy, you could get a real job and be there for all your baby mommas instead of in and out of the pen and blaming “the man” for all your problems.
October 25th, 2008 at 7:07 am
No one has them, case closed. If they existed someone would’ve posted them by now. Your idea of a neighborhood watch is you and your redneck buddies watching out for the cops while you run your meth lab. Now stop touching your daughters body and listen up. Crime is out of control in this town. There is no plan to deal with it.
October 25th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Nice insults. You sound as ghetto as I thought you were. So what are your solutions? Or do you just want to bitch about it?
October 26th, 2008 at 9:00 am
People who throw rocks shouldn’t be so sensitive. I’m doing something about it. I pay taxes and tell the truth. You should try it sometime it feels good on a personal level. I would much rather be having a discussion about how great a job CPD is doing suppressing crime in our community. At this time we can’t because those in power would rather lie or not acknowledge a very dangerous reality for their citizens. The solution is to tell the truth. When the people in our community band together and tell the truth we can collectively hold those in power accountable. Do you get it now?
October 27th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Yes I get it. Another nutcase with a conspiracy theory that has no factual basis. And paying taxes is your big solution? What an overachiever!
October 27th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
What are you doing about it? There can’t be any facts without the information. Take a look around you. Crime is the number 1 local topic. Do you want to guess why? If there isn’t anything wrong than why not release the information? You spend your time trying to discredit individuals. I ask questions? I demand answers. The government is here to work for us not the other way around. You may have to spend some time pondering that idea.
October 28th, 2008 at 11:31 am
They are available. If you weren’t so lazy you would know that. Do you expect the government to walk into the PD and ask for them for you and then deliver them to your trailer?
As for what I’m doing about it. I volunteer for several different organizations involved in mentoring at-risk youths and am also involved in our neighborhood watch. I’ve also been involved in city related commissions on police related matters.
Sometimes you have to take some initiative and actually get off your ass and ask for something instead of just making up stories about how it doesn’t exist.
I’m done debating with you, you’re hopeless. Why don’t you get involved in coming up with solutions for the crime problem instead of just criticizing and complaining? We both know the answer to that. You are lazy.
October 29th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Name the organizations. Your full of it. The arrest statitics don’t exist. People would post them if they did. The only 2 people claiming to have them are you and your block captain? Go try and clown someone else! No one is believing your bull. Prove me wrong and mail it to this site. I know you won’t because you don’t have it. Someone on welfare like yourself should be volunteering 60 hours a week. You know similar to the way you did when you were on parole.
November 1st, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Arrest stats are not released to the public. No matter how much you ask for them.
November 16th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Mean While back at the ranch….ok, so you are all arguing about stupid stuff and really solving nothing. It does have a lot to do with pissing, its called a pissing contest !
Whiners’,coulda, shoulda, woulda, get on with a solution!!
This is a classic example of how ineffective city groups can be. You foolish people, YOU ARE ON THE SAME SIDE !!
I wouldn’t doubt it if some of you (previous bloggers) are actually on city council,in the pd office or in some way able to actually DO SOMETHING if you got your head out of your asses !!The facts are, PROPERTY crime in CONCORD is as high as some of the largest urban areas in the nation!!!
Essentially, if you buy something you have a VERY big chance of losing it to a local thief !!! How is that OK???
Why the hell aren’t there more neighborhood watch’s?? How about publically revealing the stiffer punishment for thieves caught??? How about factoring the hours with the highest propensity for property theft and saturating the streets with PD at this time??? I’m not in MENSA , ‘But this aint brain surgery’!!!
Come on !!! Where is the cooperation from truly concerned citizens???
Or are you all just looking out for YOU and YOURS???