Gentler Crime Rant

We haven’t done a rant on crime for a while, but figures are hard to
find. We have to take the local crime report as word because there is
no data on the FBI site. We did a little internet cruising, since we
don’t surf. Here’s a few things of interest that we came accross. The
sites and figures mentioned are the latest we could come up with. Due
to circumstances beyond our control, this is going to be a gentler rant.
We’re not complaining either, since we honestly believe that our crime
rate is down.
 We can’t compare the crime rates of Davenport and other cities because
the information isn’t on most sites. To try go to-
http://www.areaconnect.com/crime/compare.htm
Then enter Davenport, Ia., as one of the cities to compare, and you get
the ’sorry no data available’ page.

 As for gangs; have you wondered if gangs are growing? Is there a link
between gang activity and crime rates? Do gangs really run the drug
trade? Well, this website answers a lot questions using the findings of
the Justice Policy Institute report, GANG WARS. To see the site go to-
http://www.knowgangs.com/gang_resources/411/blog/070107.php

 Money magazine did a 10 best places to live in 2006. While probably
not the most recent data, we thought; how does Davenport stack up
against the best?

 In 2006 the average income in the 10 best cities was $76,893. In
Davenport it was $50,790. On the sales tax issue, Davenport was only
.45% higher than the 10 best cities. The low to high state income tax
rate for the 10 best cities was 2.74-6.46%. In Davenport it was 0.36%-
8.98%. Auto insurance costs for the 10 best cities was $2,207. In our
town it was $1,622. And in job growth, the 10 best cities had a growth
rate of 10.97%. In Davenport it was 1.59%.

 We see a few things here. First thing that stands out is that our
average income is over $26,000 less than the 10 best cities to live. And
how about being a full 9% behind in job growth? We noticed sales taxes
are a moot point, but our state income tax was higher. We noted that
car insurance rates were a lot lower here, and we noticed that on the list
of things to compare with the 10 best cities to live, nothing was said
about amenities. Could it be that good paying jobs, with a definite job
growth rate count too?
 If you want to look at the webpage yourself for a look, go to-
http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/bestplaces/compare_tool.jsp?id=PL1919000

 If you want an interesting take on our crime problem, a story dated
Aug., 01, 07, by Grace Anne Harmony is worth a look. It’s entitled
“Davenport, Iowa Has Approved the Guardian Angels Patrol”. In this
article Ms. Harmony states we have a murder rate 60% higher than the
National average. She also claims Davenport has always been known as
a ‘rough and tough’ city. This author also states we were deemed a
“River Rat city”. She ends the piece by saying that she wishes the
Guardian Angels the best of luck, but doesn’t seem to think that
much will happen to change our terrible crime rate. To see it go to-
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/330764/davenport_iowa_has_approved_the_guardian.html

 And one last crime report, this one from 2,003. To see it go to-
http://www.cityrating.com/citycrime.asp?city=Davenport&state=IA
This link is just to remind us of where we were with crime.

 If you read the article by Ms Harmony, you know the problems we face
with perception. If you read the article on comparing
Davenport to the 10 best cities to live, you know we have lower wages,
and a basically flat job growth rate. Or you could have got that one on
your own if you’ve been around long enough. And if you look at the
cityrating crime rates from 2,003, you can see we have made a dent in
our crime rate.

 We have a new Police Chief, a new City Council, and of course the
Guardian Angels. The new Chief is doing a good job, the City Council
wants to work on the crime problem, and the Guardian Angels have seen
overwhelming support. We feel all these things working together,
coupled with citizens who are becoming pro-active about problems in
their neighborhoods have helped to lower our crime rate. Good job, and
a hand salute to all.

 ’No arsenal, no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable
as the will and moral courage of free men and women.’
 – Ronald Reagan

 Your comments on about anything are welcome, except about this not
being a true rant.