November 28, 2003

Crime is down in San Jose, but what about Almaden?

By Kymberli W. Brady

Staff Writer

According to FBI statistics, San Jose crime rates fell nearly 10 percent in 2002, even though California cities as a whole showed a slight increase of 1 percent in crime from just a year ago. In March, the San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau announced that San Jose had been rated the safest city in America among the 30 cities nationwide with populations over 500,000.

So, how did Almaden Valley, a small enclave nestled in the south of the big city, fare when compared to its own record? Press Information Officer Katherine Unger reports that there has never been a huge problem with crime in general in Almaden and credits the community policing effort with keeping it that way. “It is pretty extensive as opposed to any other agency in the area,” she says.

Almaden falls into the District A beat, which also includes parts of Los Gatos and areas surrounding Highway 85. Further investigation reveals that although District A’s numbers are low compared to other areas, but there are some trouble spots.

According to Lt. Jack Farmer, SJPD acting captain and Southern Division commander, statistics go up and down, changing constantly without any pattern of steadiness. However, a recent study conducted May 1 through Aug. 8, 2003 showed violent crimes as a whole were down significantly during that time period. “That’s positive for us,” he says. “We’d like to think that our outreach with the community has played a part in that and we have done a good job reaching the schools and the parents.”

While the number of violent crimes in California, including murder, rape, robberies and aggravated assaults showed a 3.7 percent drop, others like burglaries and auto thefts rose 3.4 percent on a statewide level. District A statistics tell a slightly different story. Crimes such as murder and robbery have seen a decline over the past five years, yet a few heavy hitters have gone up. Since 1998, aggravated assault reports have climbed from 166 to 240 in 2002. Rape crimes have risen from an average of 17 in years past to 29 in 2002. Auto thefts dropped to 89 in 2000, but rose to 140 in 2002 and are on track to the same in 2003, based on first and second quarter results.

Farmer doesn’t deny the numbers, but says Almaden in general has a much lower incidence of violent crime than the rest of District A. “But there has been an increase in auto thefts,” he admits. “When you start your car up in the morning, especially during the cold months, and then go back inside until it warms up, it’s a possible invitation for someone who might want to engage in that kind of conduct. We’ve had a few where it’s simply been a crime of opportunity.”

According to 2003 first and second quarter results, traffic accidents remain one of the top concerns for Almaden—a testament to recent requests by community members to step up patrols in an effort to combat excessive speeds in high volume areas. According to Press Information Officer Steve Dixon, the agency’s Traffic Accident Reduction Program has set up patterns in targeted areas, with a zero-tolerance policy in an effort to deal with the problem.

“In Almaden, patrol officers are working very closely with the special operation traffic division, especially at and around the schools,” adds Farmer. “Traffic has something they call safe passage where there really is an educational outreach as well as enforcement around the schools. We’ve had great results with this and the principals are pleased. It’s something we take very seriously and pay very close attention to every single day.”

Farmer says increased patrols will be in place in and around the malls during the holidays as well. “Obviously with shopping, traffic is going to be more congested,” he says. “And when enforcement is warranted, we will issue citations.”

With the holidays approaching, Dixon also warns that residential burglaries tend to rise towards the end of the year as thieves are prone break into homes and steal gifts during the daylight hours while parents are at work and kids are in school. “Many homes share similar models as well, and suspects will know how to break into multiple houses on a block,” Dixon says.

Residents are also advised to take added common sense precautions while shopping by keeping cars locked, hiding packages from plain sight, storing valuables in the trunk, and being cognizant of the area around them.

“Almaden Valley is a very nice part of town,” adds Farmer, who has worked the beat for over two years. “It’s a pleasure dealing with this community and they’ve been very pleased with our working with them to make it a better place for everybody to live and work.”