Crime down in Hope

By submitted, 03/7/19 11:12 AM

HOPE – In 2018, the Hope Police Crime statistics indicate lowest crime rate since 2001. This is positive news for our community.  Our whole community and all of our Police Agencies (State and Local) deserve the credit.  Bottom line, less crime means less victimization and loss. Lower crime rate is a measure that indicates that economic, civic and crime control policy, whether public or private, are accomplishing their intended effects.  It involves a team effort by the community that involves every part of society and is not merely a policing effort. 

Improving community health involves several factors.  One is the Who Factor.  Police agencies; businesses; non-profit community organizations (churches, mental health organizations, domestic violence organizations, juvenile services and advocates); fire protection; emergency and non-emergency medicine; courts; prosecutors; city, county and state governments; institutions of education; citizens; homeowners; mothers and fathers; and many other aspects of society all play an important and pivotal role in public health and encouraging proper conduct and vigilance.  As a society, we must ensure the continuation of strong organizations necessary for healthy communities.  This will involve financial commitment, but such investments are needed to produce desired results.   

The second is a What Factor.  The most important thing we learn from local crime analysis and other local data is that our community health is improving in many ways.  Lower crime rates; economic opportunities; increased wages; revitalization; reduction of blight; improved education; renewal of community spirit, pride and cooperation; innovation; not being afraid to take risks; embracing change and many other positive things have a tremendous cumulative effect on a community.  This is not merely a focus on self.  It is a focus on Community.  As the preamble to our Constitution clearly indicates the reason for our union, “We the People of the United State in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity…”   

The third Factor is the Why Factor.  This factor is simple, intuitive and spiritual.  It is merely following the golden rule at the heart of our relational experience with one another in community. 

The last Factor is the How Factor.  This involves us all.  It involves cooperation, civility, compromise, continuity, care, concern, compassion and continuation to overcome common challenges.

You may say that I have avoided the where and when Factors.  Well for our purposes where is here, and when is now.   A familiar quote I am sure we have all heard says: “If not this, what?   If not now, when? If not here, where?  And if not you, who?”

Hope is a great place to live and all of us working together can bring about greater hope for a better future for every person in our city and county.  I just want to say thank you to all of our citizens for the role you play in our common quest for a better tomorrow. Let’s never stop until our good is better and our better is best.