According to the 2007 Ocean City Police Department Annual Report, there was a nearly 8% drop in serious crime. Overall crimes against individuals dropped 20%, while overall crimes against property dropped 6%. Aggravated assaults dropped by more than 38%, and Breaking and Enterings dropped by nearly 18%. They say a drop of 20% in crimes against persons is quite significant. Police credit greater officer visibility and improved technology to track statistics.

Chief Bernadette Dipino of the Ocean City Police Department says,

“It substantiates the recent citizen survey where the overwhelming majority of respondents said they felt Ocean City was a safe community.”

So although the area is getting more and more built up, serious crimes are down and people feel that Ocean City is a safe place to live. Around here there seems to be more of an increase of crime, especially among young people. Arrested recently for burglary and theft in the Lewes/Milton area were five boys including one 12-year old, two 13-year olds, and two 15-year olds. Here is the story from WGMD News:

“Five Sussex County boys and one adult are now facing several charges of burglary, theft, criminal mischief and conspiracy. The crimes were reported to police between the months of September 2007 and this month. Police say the boys forced their way into homes by breaking windows, and once inside stole electronic items and alcohol. Now here are their ages—13 year old Diandre Mapp of Lewes is at the Stevenson House on 33-thousand dollars bail. 12 year old Michael Mapp of Lewes—also at the Stevenson House. 15 year old John Maker of Milton—his bail was set at 10-thousand dollars unsecured bail with a co-signer. 13 year old Jordan Maker of Milton had the same bail amount, 15 year old Brandon Marvel of Lewes is now at the Stevenson House on 11,500 dollars secured bail, and the adult—45 year old Calvin Harmon has bail set at 8-thousand dollars cash.”

Also today, one teen has gotten in trouble and more might as well for the exploding of soda bottle bombs:

“A 15 year old from Magnolia has been arrested in connection with several incidents involving the exploding of soda bottle bombs. The incidents occurred Wednesday and Thursday in the London Village and Paris Villa developments and caused about $100 in damage. The teen is charged with three felony counts of manufacturing, using and transferring or possessing an explosive device. The juvenile is being held at the Stevenson House in default of 9-thousand dollars bond. Fire investigators do expect additional arrests will be made. Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.”

In a news story from earlier this month, WGMD reported:

“Five boys were involved in a home invasion and assault. Milton police say five boys, ranging in age from 12 to 15 years old assaulted a 14-year old Milton boy and one of them had a knife. Milton officers learned that the five boys from the Milton area, forced their way into a Milton home and assaulted him numerous times. One of the victims held a knife in front of him and made threatening remarks. The boy did receive medical attention and has been released. All of the boys were charged with assault, terroristic threatening, and other charges. Four of the juveniles were released on unsecured bond to the custody of their parents and one is at the Stevenson Home in default of bond.”

It seems like more and more juveniles are getting into trouble. And these are just a few examples. You have to wonder what is going on with all of these young kids committing these crimes. Also, if you live in Ocean City, with the drop in serious crime, do you still feel safe? Or if you live in Sussex County, do you feel safe with the overall growth of the county?

 

This entry was posted on Friday, January 25th, 2008 at 4:44 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.