The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

Editorials

October 30, 2009

People help stop crime

Local officials and law enforcement officers must be pleased with the recent report compiled by the Illinois State Police that shows the county experienced an overall decrease in crime in 2008.

Statistics, as is common knowledge, can be used to “prove” lots of things, but the state police report takes the total number of incidents reported to police and compares them to the number from 2007. That’s a pretty accurate snapshot of the county.

The results erase the stereotype many people develop out of fear rather than facts.

Two of the reasons cited by Vermilion County Sheriff Pat Hartshorn and Danville Public Safety Director Larry Thomason were increased manpower in areas where crime reports are higher and increased participation by residents.

It makes sense to schedule more patrols in areas more prone to crime. The city’s use of the Problem Oriented Policing unit created in 2007 already has yielded positive results.

The most positive statistic, however, has to be the increased number of residents willing to help make their neighborhoods safe by calling in to report suspicious activity or providing about incidents they have witnessed.

The growth of neighborhood associations within the Danville particularly also has played a role in the fight against crime. Members of neighborhood associations use the power of community to deter criminals.

The bad guys count on people who don’t want to get involved, who don’t know their neighbors and who don’t care about something that looks out of place. Neighborhood associations help connect people, who then combine their efforts to make their street a safer place to live.

The same strategy works in the counties smaller communities and in rural areas. While there might not be a formal association established, simply keeping an eye on neighbors and making a call if things look awry can be effective in reducing crime.

If there’s a neighborhood association nearby, join it. If not, contact the local police department for information how to start one. Being proactive helps stop crime.

Text Only
Editorials
  • Program develops talent

    More than a few local employers continue to look for skilled applicants to fill job openings. Finding qualified candidates can be a difficult goal for some.

    May 13, 2012

  • Celebrate Cunningham's victory

    Danville High School student Christian Cunningham finds himself riding a wave of notoriety this week after being named the winner in the “Today” show’s singing contest for young people.

    May 11, 2012

  • Sendak's tales a joy to read

    Maurice Sendak, beloved children’s author who wrote about monsters instead of the princesses or puppies, passed away Tuesday at the age of 83.

    May 9, 2012

  • Area offers lots of fun

    As the cost of gasoline and other costs associated with travel continue to climb, more people are considering alternatives to traditional vacations.

    May 6, 2012

  • Bill will help Postal Service

    Members of the U.S. Senate recently passed S 1789, a bill that allows the U.S. Postal Service to essentially maintain its operations without costing taxpayers a dime.

    May 5, 2012

  • Learn how to stop bullying

    Area residents can take advantage of a special seminar about bullying scheduled for Tuesday at Danville’s Days Hotel.

    May 2, 2012

  • D118 class helps build for the future

    District 118 schools’ Introduction to Teaching class for high school students accomplishes two important goals. It provides high school students considering a career in education a look inside a classroom other than their own and it serves as a future recruiting tool for the district.

    April 29, 2012

  • County board faces tough decision

    Vermilion County Board members face an important decision in the near future regarding the future of the county-operated Vermilion Manor Nursing Home.

    April 28, 2012

  • Time to talk about DDI

    The future of Downtown Danville, a Special Services Area with its own tax rate, could be decided within the next few weeks.

    April 26, 2012

  • An honor long overdue

    A new marker now stands in Danville’s Resurrection Cemetery to mark the resting place of Martin McHugh — who passed away in 1905 — and his wife. Their graves had been unmarked for more than 100 years.

    April 22, 2012

E-edition
AP Video
Defense Rests in John Edwards Trial GM Says It Will Stop Paying for Ads on Facebook 911 Call: Confusion at Home Where Mom Shot Kids Jury Convicts Steve Powell of Voyeurism Charges Skechers to Pay $40 Million for Bogus Claims Coffee May Be Key to Living Longer Police to Groom of Slain Bride: Turn Yourself In Laurie Fine: My Life Has Been Destroyed FTC: Skechers Deceived Consumers With Shoe Ads FBI Confirms Leak Probe on Al-Qaida Plot Romney Calls Obama a 'Disappointment' Honda Unveils New Robotics-powered Scooter NJ Gov., Mayor Channel Seinfeld in Video Parody Blood Drive for Woman With Flesh-Eating Disease AG Race Tops Oregon Primary Interest Obama Welcomes Beckham, Galaxy to White House Raw Video: Mladic's Genocide Trial Under Way Court Records Detail Zimmerman Injuries Local Community Prepares for G8 Summit New Guidelines for US Nuclear Plants
NDN Video
Building a Real Star Trek Enterprise Can Happen...For a Trillion Dollars Gisele Exposes Bra in Sheer Top Scary business idea sends a clown to your friend Did The Dictator Kill Clooney's Ex? 75-million-year-old Dino Skeleton Up for Auction J.Lo Rocks Revealing Swimsuits Raw Video: Army Sergeant Beaten, Robbed When Cartoons Go Kardashian Raw Video: Daring Rescue From Chinese Flood Melissa Rycroft's Post-Baby Bod Mail carriers complain about peep show at nude colony 'Punk'd' Returns: Bieber to Be First Rotating Host Man Turns Nerf Gun into 20,000-Volt Tesla Gun Katherine Jenkins Gives Update on Her Back Injury Court Records Detail Zimmerman Injuries Miranda Lambert Likes Her Big Butt Debate rages over owning exotic animals Paltrow in Blue Cat Face Paint Deputies: Fla. Mom Killed 4 Kids, Then Herself Tom Cruise Is Shirtless and Ripped