MONROE - A worsening local economy may have contributed to an increase in thefts and simple assaults in Monroe last year, Police Chief Fred Kelley said.
Kelley's annual report to the Monroe City Council last week indicated thefts increased 61 percent - from 161 in 2006 to 263 in 2007 - while simple assaults jumped nearly 68 percent - from 38 to 56.
"It isn't necessarily the case in every theft, but when the economy gets worse there seems to be an increase in thefts," he said.
People become a little more desperate in harder economic times and tend to steal things they can't otherwise afford, Kelley explained.
The increase in assaults also could be a result of added stress, Kelley said.
It also could be the result of what Kelley says continues to be the most abused drug in Monroe - alcohol.
Kelley said nearly every call officers respond to at night involves alcohol. It is common to find people who have had too much to drink, get angry with others and begin to argue and fight, he said.
"Our culture fails to recognize this," Kelley said of alcohol abuse in his report.
Monroe also continues to see problems with other drugs, he added.
Crack and powder cocaine, an increase in the amount of marijuana, the presence of methamphetamine and the appearance of ecstasy pills are more commonplace.
The department continues to use its drug task force, but Kelley said the department's ability to keep drugs out of Monroe has been hampered by federal grant money once used for drug and law enforcement being taken away to fight terrorism and two wars.
Money for the program now has to be budgeted from the general police department budget.
The police department received a "couple hundred thousands dollars" from Community Oriented Police Services, a federal program.
Without the extra money, Kelley said, a lot of police departments have trouble combating crime.
"It's harder to keep up with crime," Kelley said. "Before the current administration (in Washington) there was a focus on crime from a domestic point of view rather than terrorism. Resources for terrorism now stay at the federal level or go to the military."
Kelley said Monroe still is a safe place to live. But he said the increase in crime means Monroe residents need to be a little more careful than they might have been in the past.
"It's still a good idea to lock your doors and your cars and not walk alone after dark," he said.
Kelley's annual report to the Monroe City Council last week indicated thefts increased 61 percent - from 161 in 2006 to 263 in 2007 - while simple assaults jumped nearly 68 percent - from 38 to 56.
"It isn't necessarily the case in every theft, but when the economy gets worse there seems to be an increase in thefts," he said.
People become a little more desperate in harder economic times and tend to steal things they can't otherwise afford, Kelley explained.
The increase in assaults also could be a result of added stress, Kelley said.
It also could be the result of what Kelley says continues to be the most abused drug in Monroe - alcohol.
Kelley said nearly every call officers respond to at night involves alcohol. It is common to find people who have had too much to drink, get angry with others and begin to argue and fight, he said.
"Our culture fails to recognize this," Kelley said of alcohol abuse in his report.
Monroe also continues to see problems with other drugs, he added.
Crack and powder cocaine, an increase in the amount of marijuana, the presence of methamphetamine and the appearance of ecstasy pills are more commonplace.
The department continues to use its drug task force, but Kelley said the department's ability to keep drugs out of Monroe has been hampered by federal grant money once used for drug and law enforcement being taken away to fight terrorism and two wars.
Money for the program now has to be budgeted from the general police department budget.
The police department received a "couple hundred thousands dollars" from Community Oriented Police Services, a federal program.
Without the extra money, Kelley said, a lot of police departments have trouble combating crime.
"It's harder to keep up with crime," Kelley said. "Before the current administration (in Washington) there was a focus on crime from a domestic point of view rather than terrorism. Resources for terrorism now stay at the federal level or go to the military."
Kelley said Monroe still is a safe place to live. But he said the increase in crime means Monroe residents need to be a little more careful than they might have been in the past.
"It's still a good idea to lock your doors and your cars and not walk alone after dark," he said.