Crime: Not Every Incident Gets Reported

Regarding your article “Perceptions Aside, Statistics Show a Drop in Crime” (Nov. 13), please be aware that in spite of the manipulation of statistics, crime is not on the decrease. The media has been persuaded to believe that statistics for violent crime are decreasing. I simply believe that not only is violent crime being underreported and not prosecuted, but nonviolent crime is massively underreported and not prosecuted. So you’ll say, “Who cares about nonviolent crime?” Well, we all better take heed because the criminals who commit nonviolent crimes (graffiti, drug trafficking, etc . . .) are rapidly joining the ranks of the more violent criminals. They have learned that they not only beat the system but have totally stampeded on top of it. For example, I live on a block with 34 duplexes (68 residences)--approximately 225 taxpaying citizens. Within the last 18 months, every home on this one block, in a “good” neighborhood with an active association and a citizens watch patrol, has fallen victim to either burglary, grand theft auto, auto break-in, muggings, vandalism, and the list goes on to total approximately 300 incidents! Many of the burglaries/petty theft/theft from property go totally underreported and many of the auto break-ins are unreported.

JOE CONNOLLY, Los Angeles