OJAI : Overall Number of Crimes Increased Nearly 10% in 1991

More property crimes occurred in Ojai last year than in 1990, but violent crime and offenses related to alcohol and drugs were down, authorities said.

Overall, crime in Ojai rose 9.9% in 1991, led by a 14% increase in serious property crimes, said Lt. Ken Kipp, head of the Ojai substation of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.

Automotive theft topped the list of property crime increases. It rose 42% in 1991, Kipp told Ojai City Council members Tuesday.

There were 21 car thefts in 1990 and 30 in 1991 in Ojai.

Grand theft and petty theft also rose in 1991, Kipp said.

“As far as trends go, it seems clear that property crimes are increasing, which is consistent with most locales in the county,” Kipp said.

The increase in property crimes was balanced, however, by decreases in the number of violent crimes reported, arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol and citations for being drunk in public, Kipp said.

While there were 90 drunk driving incidents in 1990, there were only 36 in 1991, a 60% decrease, Kipp said.

“We think the decrease could be related to a combination of greater enforcement and more education having a positive impact on people’s behavior,” Kipp said.