Safe and Secure Communities

Crime Reporting - Performance Measure 1.06

The primary function and one of five key initiatives of the police department is to develop and deliver effective ways to reduce crime in Tempe. The police department does this through responding to citizen calls for police service, addressing crime in the city and working with the community to prevent crime. If citizens do not report crimes for which they become a victim, it is difficult to accomplish the primary function of a police department – fighting crime.

Measure

Achieve responses of "Yes" for property and violent crimes reported to police as measured by the Community Survey greater than the percentage of crime reported in the National Crime Victimization Survey.

Why this Measure Matters

There are times and reasons why citizens do not report crimes. In order to effectively address crime in our community, it is important citizens report crimes for which they have observed or have become a victim; and help the department understand the circumstances under which they would be reluctant to do.

Baseline

Violent Crimes: 77.6% (CY 2018)

Property Crimes: 73.1% (CY 2018)

Target

Violent Crimes: 53% annually, by calendar year

Property Crimes: 65% annually, by calendar year

Strategies

1. Community Outreach: attend community activities such as neighborhood association meetings to foster improved and trusting relationships with citizens and have candid conversations regarding the importance of reporting crimes so that the police department can develop and implement methods to decrease crime; and provide resources to victims to help them deal with issues for which they face and struggle.

2. Education: through a partnership with Arizona State University, provide social media, press conferences, and publicly release crime statistics to educate citizens as to why it is important to report crimes and provide ways for citizens to prevent themselves from being victimized.

3. Crime Prevention: study crime trends and share findings with community members regarding various methods to prevent crime and decrease their chances of becoming a victim of a crime.