Crime & Safety

Crime Drops In Lake Elsinore And Wildomar

Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Station Captain Dave Fontneau said he is pleased with the numbers but remains cautious about reading too much into them.

Reports of violent crime and property crime in Lake Elsinore and Wildomar have dropped in most categories, according to the latest data from the FBI.

During 2010, Lake Elsinore saw drops in reports of murder, aggravated assault, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft over 2009. Wildomar saw dips in murder, forcible rape, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, larceny-theft and arson during the same period. (See full reports below.)

But while Captain Dave Fontneau of the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station said he’s pleased with the numbers, he cautioned against reading too much into them.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Generally speaking, the numbers are down throughout the Southland, which is a little surprising given the economy. But there isn’t any one reason we can point to," he said.

The department takes a multi-tiered approach to how services are delivered, Captain Fontneau explained.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"This community-oriented policing philosophy places the same officers in the same areas on a regular basis. The officers get know the communities they serve and this approach allows them to develop a relationship with the residents and business owners. We review crime trends and statistics on a regular basis to ensure we are deploying our resources when and where they are needed," he said.

But Captain Fontneau stressed that being out in the communities on a daily basis is the most important aspect of the job.

"From me, to my command staff, to the officers on the street, we are constantly meeting with residents, business owners and community groups. Our goal is to get the word out that we are partners in the communities we serve and we need the public’s help. By building these relationships, we are finding that people are more likely to call and get involved when they see something out of the ordinary," he said.

Captain Fontneau warned that while the numbers are down in several categories, the department has had to deal with budget cuts, which could affect future crime statistics.

“Next year we could be faced with a completely different picture,” Captain Fontneau said of the FBI’s report, but noted that the department remains diligent in its fight against crime.

A look at the FBI’s numbers:

Lake Elsinore total reports of violent crime during 2010: 108

Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter 0

Forcible rape 15 (up over 2009)

Robbery 38 (up over 2009)

Aggravated assault 55

 

Lake Elsinore total reports of violent crime during 2009: 137

Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter 1

Forcible rape 10

Robbery 37

Aggravated assault 89

 

Lake Elsinore total reports of property crime during 2010: 1,571

Burglary 398 (up over 2009)

Larceny-theft 959

Motor vehicle theft 214

Arson 2 (up over 2009)

 

Lake Elsinore total reports of property crime during 2009: 1,653

Burglary 386

Larceny-theft 979

Motor vehicle theft 288

Arson 1

 

Wildomar total reports of violent crime during 2010: 59

Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter 0

Forcible rape 11

Robbery 15

Aggravated assault 33

 

Wildomar total reports of violent crime during 2009: 87

Murders and nonnegligent manslaughter: 1

Forcible rape: 11

Robbery: 30

Aggravated assault: 45

 

Wildomar total reports of property crime during 2010: 703

Burglary 188

Larceny-theft 365

Motor vehicle theft 150 (up over 2009)

Arson 2

 

Wildomar total reports of property crime during 2009: 859

Burglary: 237

Larceny theft: 484

Motor vehicle theft: 138

Arson: 2

 


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