NEWS RELEASE

RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT

31 Riverside Road Riverside, Illinois 60546

February 24 , 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Chief Thomas Weitzel

708 447 2127 tweitzel@riverside.il.us

Riverside Police Release Preliminary Crime Rate

Crime statistics released today by Police Chief Thomas Weitzel show Riversides overall crime rate is up 21.3 percent for 2013. The numbers are based on preliminary numbers submitted to the Illinois State Police Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) System.
CLASSIFICATION

2012
1 0 1 20 116 3 141

2013
2 1 12 33 118 4 1 171

INCREASE or DECREASE

% Change
+100 +100 +1100 +65.0 +1.7 +33.3 +100 +21.3%

Murder Criminal Sexual Assault Robbery Aggravated Assault/Battery Burglary Theft Motor Vehicle Theft Arson TOTAL REPORTABLE CRIMES

+1 +1 +11 +13 +2 +1 +1 +30

The increases in crime coincide with the State and Cook County effort to reduce overcrowding in the states prisons and jails. While the prison reduction has focused on offenders that are considered low level, many of them are habitual offenders. All other things being equal, when chronic offenders spend less time in custody, they have more opportunities to commit crimes, said Chief Thomas Weitzel. He added, The biggest challenge with early release, low bonds and electric monitoring is reducing recidivism. The Riverside Police Department encourages community members to remain vigilant, secure property, and report any suspicious activity. Much of the increase in property crime can be prevented by not leaving valuables in your vehicle, and securing doors and windows when no one is home, said Deputy Chief Bill Legg. We have a collective responsibility to work to reduce crime and increase public safety in our Village,

and we look forward to working with and empowering our residents to address these concerns that we all share, he added. Crime Rate statistics are a snapshot of reported criminal activity in our community. The Riverside Police Department is well aware that these statistics are meaningless to those that are victims of crime. Though the overall outlook is positive, it cannot detract from those that have had the misfortune of becoming victims of crime. Residents with questions, concerns or suggestions on police operations can contact the Chief at tweitzel@riverside.il.us Community feedback is always welcomed and we do incorporate suggestions into our daily police mission. ###