News

Shoals a leader in low crime

Published: Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, November 24, 2007 at 11:44 p.m.

The Shoals remains one of the safest places to live in Alabama and the country, based on crime statistics reported annually to the FBI.

By the numbers
The 2006 crime rate for Alabama cities with a population of more than 35,000 (rate is based on per-100,000 residents and involves total number of homicides, rapes, aggravated assaults, robbery, burglary, theft arson):
City Population Index crimes Rate per 100,000
Hoover 68,079 2,717 3,995
Dothan 62,402 3,733 6,020
Florence 36,810 2,362 6,383
Mobile 250,152 17,019 6,807
Montgomery 201,937 14,270 7,064
Decatur 55,222 3,878 7,050
Tuscaloosa 82,094 5,838 7,119
Huntsville 167,408 12,934 7,744
Gadsden 37,743 3,577 9,413
Birmingham 233,014 22,182 9,520
Source: Alabama Criminal Justice Web site

Colbert and Lauderdale counties have combined to consistently be rated among the safest cities in the country, reaching the top five at one time. Determining where the Shoals ranks nationally, based on 2006 figures, could not be tabulated this year because statistics from the sheriff's office in Lauderdale County were not available.

In 2006, the Shoals was ranked among the Top 50 nationally in crime rate, and the crime numbers in virtually all of the crime index categories measured were virtually the same or less.

Crimes used to determine the ranking are homicides, rape, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, vehicle theft and arson.

Among the largest cities in Alabama, Florence ranks third behind Hoover and Dothan in crime rate. The ranking is based on crime statistics reported during 2006. They are displayed on the Alabama Criminal Justice Web site. The actual number of reported crimes is compiled and tabulated on a per-100,000 basis.

Florence's crime rate was 6,383 per 100,000 residents. The city logged 2,362 crimes during the year. Hoover, with a crime rate of 3,995, and Dothan, with a 6,020 crime rate, topped the list.

"I've said this many times and I still do: I wouldn't trade our area in terms of crime with most any city in the country," said Florence Police Chief Rick Singleton. "This is a safe place to live, no doubts about that."

Nearby cities also score well in the ranking. Russellville, for instance, is among the safest cities in the state - regardless of size - with a crime rate of 1,534 per 100,000 people, based on the reported data.

Sheffield's crime rate was listed at 3,505 per 100,000, while Muscle Shoals had a rate of 3,888 and Tuscumbia's was 4,121.

Sheffield Police Chief Doug Aycock agreed with Singleton's assessment that the Shoals remains one of the safest areas nationwide.

"Anyone who spends time in other cities, particularly larger cities, will tell you how safe this area is and how crime is a problem in some larger cities," he said. "I would rate this area real high overall.

"We have a lot of professional law enforcement departments and well-trained, sincere officers in our area. Another big factor is that our residents are good about helping us with information. Often, their information is crucial to helping solve and, in some cases, prevent crimes."

Aycock and Singleton both pointed out that violent crimes are generally low in the area. There were only two homicides logged in the 2006 crime data reported in the Colbert-Lauderdale area. Florence, the area's largest city, has not had a homicide in 16 months.

"There's no way to control some crimes or predict when someone is going to lose control," Aycock said. "So, anyone who tells you they're not going to tolerate this crime or that crime is living in a pipe dream. Some crimes are just going to happen no matter what you do or how proactive you are.

"And there's the luck or grace of God factor because some assaults could easily become homicides had a fraction of an inch gone either way."

Singleton said it's extremely rare for a violent crime in the Shoals to involve an innocent bystander. He said almost all violent crimes involve a domestic dispute or people who know each other.

"Our big issue now is property crimes," Singleton said. "Since we first saw meth come to our area four or five years ago, property crimes have been going up steadily."

There were 1,631 theft reports recorded in Florence in 2006 along with 547 burglaries and 77 car thefts.

"One of the things we've done to combat these thefts is to create a street crime unit," Singleton said. "The unit looks at street-level drug activity to supplement what the drug task force is doing.

"One reason we started it was because one of our officers in the community policing unit kept getting complaints from some individuals about the drug activity in a particular area of the city. We went out with a surveillance camera one day and within 15 minutes we had two or three drug deals recorded on video. They took place right there on a street corner."

Singleton said items taken during property crimes are often either sold, with the money used to buy drugs, or exchanged for drugs.

Singleton said it's rare for the street crime unit to put together an operation without coming back with a felony drug arrest.

"It's making a difference already with a number of arrests, but we're still working on it," he said. "You never stop working on criminal activity."

Bernie Delinski can be reached at 740-5739 or bernie.delinski@timesdaily.com.


Comments

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  1. bullit says...
    November 25, 2007 7:20:31 am

    RE: http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20.../NEWS/711250347/1011
    No way I would agree with this as being a safe place to live. My Dad was shot and murdered in his front yard one year ago. So naturally I do not agree. Actually there have been several murders in this area.

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  2. thehippiegirl is gone. says...
    November 25, 2007 8:00:50 am

    bullit, i am so sorry for your loss, and in such a tragic way..i hope the murderer is in prison...and pray that you have Peace..

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  3. Bamafnatk says...
    November 25, 2007 11:11:14 am

    Bullit, so very sorry & a year is so recent for such a lose . I have a couple of contact numbers that may of some help to you , if your interested, Crime Victims Support.. PM me if so, I would be glad to help . Going thru the justice system can be very stressfull , more so after loseing a dear love one, as your dad .

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  4. smokey1 says...
    November 25, 2007 2:37:30 pm

    I'm very sorry for your loss. It must be tough around the holidays. Was the person ever arrested? What kind of sentence did they get?

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  5. bullit says...
    November 25, 2007 2:44:28 pm

    Thank you to everyone for your thoughts. Yes the person was arrested and the trial hasn't come up yet. I am confident that justice will be served.

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  6. Bamafnatk says...
    November 25, 2007 5:24:51 pm

    Bullit, what County or city did this happen in ? Has this case gone to the Grand Jury yet ?

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  7. FirenzeVeritas says...
    November 25, 2007 9:23:45 pm

    Bama, I assume this is a Lauderdale County Case. I think this is the gentleman who confronted a burglar and was killed. I knew one of the man's three daughters slightly. She gave me some info on Stephens College many years ago when I was considering getting a Masters Degree. I was deeply saddened that he died is such a violent way, defending his property.

    I think the killer has hired Tim Case, for which I was extremely glad, so to speak, since the court originally appointed my friend. He doesn't need any more murder cases, especially one where the defendant is guilty (caught with the murder weapon in the victim's yard, as I recall).

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  8. bchbum says...
    November 25, 2007 10:47:38 pm

    having lived in a big city growing up,I returned to the Shoals 30 years ago because of the low crime rate. most every one murdered knows who it is and VERY few unsolved crimes of violence. and very few randomed acts. My parents now 86 (from Florence)still live in the city and can't carry much money,and see unsolved murders,robberies evey weekend.and are very careful where they go and what time. I still think we have a very safe area to live in compared to other cities.

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  9. Bamafnatk says...
    November 26, 2007 5:01:38 am

    Thank you FirenzeVerites , Yes now I beleave your right, so sad ! That trial should be comeing up before to long. Talking about deffence Attorneys, & I know most are very good people with a job to do as your friend & they get appointed. But how do some sleep at nite knowing the deffendant is Guilty as in some cases .

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  10. FirenzeVeritas says...
    November 26, 2007 5:25:38 am

    Bama, I can only say when a judge appoints someoneone he has to do his best. Once, some years ago, I was in court with my boyfriend (then boyfriend), while the judge was appointing attorneys for various cases. He had already appointed my friend for one, then he appointed a female atty. to a case that was to be tried in three months. She said she couldn't take it. The judge turned ugly and demanded to know why she couldn't. She stood up and was very obviously about six or seven months pregnant. The judge then relented.

    I do think some are innocent, but certainly not the one referenced above. Still, they are all entitled to their defense. We never know when we could be falsely accused of something.

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