Interesting crime statistic I heard last night re: Brockton, Massachusetts

[Ian David]

In my city of Brockton, Massachusetts we have 6,000 crimes reported per year in a city of about 95,000.
http://www.ci.brockton.ma.us/Section_About/QuickFacts.cfm

There are 1,000 streets in our city.

That makes 6 crimes per street per year.

And only 65 people are committing 20% of all the crimes in the city.

I heard that last night in a speech by Jass Stewart, who is running for Mayor of Brockton this year.
http://www.jassstewart.com/5-PointPlan/4.htm

So, by keeping those 65 known individuals off the street, we would theoretically reduce crime in the city by 20% over night.



Four Questions For Jass Stewart
By Keith Boykin
March 23, 2005 12:11 AM
in politics
<snip>

Crime: Crime is another example where Brockton is outpacing the state average. We experienced over 6,000 cases of reported crime last year. This figure doesn’t include incidents that are not reported. In a city of fewer than 95,000 people, you’re talking about six acts of crime on every street of Brockton in a single year. This is totally unacceptable.

The current administration has not been serious enough about being tough on crime. For example, City Hall is aware that there are 65 people who are committing 20 percent of the crime in Brockton. My question is, “Why are these people still doing on our streets?” As mayor, I will do four things to fight crime and win the peace on our streets.

First, concerning those 65 individuals, I will immediately track them down, lock them up, and keep them locked up if they continue to threaten our way of life. This one act will reduce our crime rate by 20 percent, right away.

Second, I will invest in proven re-entry programs. The fact of the matter is, 90 percent of the criminals who we send to jail, once released, will make their way back to the streets of Brockton. We have to make certain that these ex-offenders are prepared to return to Brockton, and we have to make certain our neighborhoods are prepared to receive them.

More:
http://www.keithboykin.com/arch/001340.html


See Related Thread:
Volunteer to Canvass for Jass Stewart, Saturday July 16th
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=158x5569

[tk2kewl]

1. It's only about half a dozen committing 80% of the crime in DC

Just think how much better things would be if we through them in jail.

[Ian David]

2. Imagine if those 12 incredibly industrious individuals got real jobs!

That's a heck of a lot of crime for only a dozen people.

If only we could harness that energy for something good.

Like maybe driving a Halliburton truck in Iraq... hmmmm....

[Geoff R. Casavant]

3. Shout out to Brockton!

My old hometown. I grew up on Burkeside (drive down N. Main towards Avon, last street on the left before you leave town, right by the DQ).

Those 65 people would, on average, have to commit one crime every 20 days to be responsible for 20% of all the 6000 incidents you mention. I expect someone's analysis is wrong, most likely an expansive definition of crime (e.g., by including jaywalking, etc.).