MONROE - The struggling economy is one reason crime in Monroe increased last year, according to Fred Kelley, Monroe Police chief.
"Department figures indicate an increase in crime," he said. "There was a high number of simple assaults and a large increase in thefts. Much of these types of crimes are attributable to a poor economy. When people lose jobs and have less money, they turn desperate and crime is a result."
According to Monroe Police Department statistics, there were 238 reports of thefts in 2009, compared to 187 in 2008. There were also 35 burglary reports in 2009, compared to 20 in 2008.
Assault cases increased from 10 in 2008 to 27 in 2009.
Police department statistics also show that disorderly conduct incidents jumped from 212 in 2008 to 340 in 2009.
Kelley said most of the incidents took place between 3 and 11 p.m.
Many of the disorderly conduct and assault cases involved alcohol, he said.
"Nearly every call that an officer responds to, particularly at night, but still even in the day time, has to do with alcohol," Kelley said.
The police department also investigated bomb threats at Monroe High School in 2009, which included hundreds of officer hours. Investigation into the case continues, Kelley said. The department is waiting for a handwriting analysis from the Wisconsin crime lab.
As crime continues to increase, the police department has been forced to do more with less money, Kelley said.
Kelley said the department cut a vehicle purchase from its budget and also cut the amount of officer overtime available. The department has also cut back on training.
Despite the tight budget, Kelley said his department will continue to provide needed services for Monroe.
"The department continues to operate efficiently and effectively," he said. "Looking to provide more with less is something we see all the time, whether it is a need for equipment or people."
"Department figures indicate an increase in crime," he said. "There was a high number of simple assaults and a large increase in thefts. Much of these types of crimes are attributable to a poor economy. When people lose jobs and have less money, they turn desperate and crime is a result."
According to Monroe Police Department statistics, there were 238 reports of thefts in 2009, compared to 187 in 2008. There were also 35 burglary reports in 2009, compared to 20 in 2008.
Assault cases increased from 10 in 2008 to 27 in 2009.
Police department statistics also show that disorderly conduct incidents jumped from 212 in 2008 to 340 in 2009.
Kelley said most of the incidents took place between 3 and 11 p.m.
Many of the disorderly conduct and assault cases involved alcohol, he said.
"Nearly every call that an officer responds to, particularly at night, but still even in the day time, has to do with alcohol," Kelley said.
The police department also investigated bomb threats at Monroe High School in 2009, which included hundreds of officer hours. Investigation into the case continues, Kelley said. The department is waiting for a handwriting analysis from the Wisconsin crime lab.
As crime continues to increase, the police department has been forced to do more with less money, Kelley said.
Kelley said the department cut a vehicle purchase from its budget and also cut the amount of officer overtime available. The department has also cut back on training.
Despite the tight budget, Kelley said his department will continue to provide needed services for Monroe.
"The department continues to operate efficiently and effectively," he said. "Looking to provide more with less is something we see all the time, whether it is a need for equipment or people."