FILLMORE : Crime Rate Down, but Burglaries Rise

The crime rate in Fillmore dropped 4.8% in 1991 compared to the previous year, officials said Tuesday.

The city’s overall crime rate decreased despite a rise in the number of burglaries and drug-related crimes, said Lt. Dick Purnell, the city’s acting police chief.

In a report to the City Council, Purnell said Fillmore “is in fair shape” compared to Ventura County cities such as Moorpark and Ojai, which saw slight increases in their overall crime rates.

Gang-related crimes were on the rise early in 1991, but decreased after the city authorized foot patrols by local sheriff’s deputies. He credited the patrols for reversing “an alarming trend.”

The rate for violent crimes such as rape, assault and robbery decreased, with 52 such crimes reported by the end of 1991, compared to 81 the previous year, he said.

Burglary and drug-related crimes rose 3.2% in 1991. Most of the burglars arrested in the city are involved in gangs, Purnell said. The rise in theft “is directly related to narcotics activity, which is up sharply,” Purnell said. He said the increase in drug-related crime has continued into 1992, and will require “flexibility to handle.” Sex felonies were also on the increase, with 17 incidents primarily involving juvenile victims assaulted by family members, Purnell said. But he speculated that the increase could be due to education programs that promote better reporting of such crimes.