Pubdate: Sun, 14 Dec 2008
Source: Tribune Star (Terre Haute, IN)
Copyright: 2008 Tribune-Star Publishing Co. Inc.
Contact:  http://www.tribstar.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/448
Author: Brian Boyce, The Tribune-Star
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

ILLINOIS CRIME RATE FALLS 3.6 PERCENT

Tough legislation regarding cold medications might cause annoyance at the 
pharmacy, but in the trenches of Illinois' fight against crime, many credit 
it with lowering that state's overall criminal activity in 2007.

In November, the Illinois State Police announced the state's overall crime 
rate fell by 3.6 percent in 2007, with reports of homicide and motor 
vehicle theft realizing the biggest decreases.

Law enforcement agencies throughout the state reported a total of 456,085 
indexed crimes in 2007, compared to 470,730 in 2006, according to the ISP's 
Uniform Crime Report.

And locally, the trend seems to have followed throughout 2008.

"We haven't had near the meth lab problem that we had before," said Edgar 
County Chief Deputy Shane St. Clair.

Methamphetamine abuse has been demonstrated to lead to other more violent 
crimes as addicts are driven to fulfill their need, and St. Clair credits 
the drop in numbers to laws requiring stores to track the sales of cold 
medications such as Sudafed and limit quantities. "The drug arrest rate is 
down," he said.

Robinson City Police Chief Bill Ackman agreed, noting a "significant drop 
in meth labs" since the spike in 2000.

Ackman also credited that drop to legislation regarding Sudafed-type 
medications, whose key ingredient, pseudoephedrine, is an active ingredient 
in methamphetamine.

But as with any drop in one area, a rise is likely in another.

"It depends. It seems like you have certain crimes that maybe scaled down 
some and then others that have increased," Ackman said.

The illegal use and distribution of prescription medication has "blossomed" 
as a result of methamphetamine and other drugs being hard to come by, he said.

"That's one thing that's gone up," the police chief said, adding that in 
related burglaries, thieves are bypassing electronics and even cash to head 
straight for the home's medicine cabinet.

"In a lot of ways, it's safer and easier to get prescription drugs," Ackman 
said, noting that addicts don't have to worry about getting ripped off or 
what's in the concoction.

And the abuse, which police began tracking several years ago, has filtered 
down from the 25 to 35-year-old bracket into the junior high schools.

"We're really going to try and hit that hard this year," he said of the 
department's plans for 2009.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed legislation in October which makes it 
a class-4 felony "to attempt to possess, procure transport, store or 
deliver a key meth ingredient," according to a media release issued by ISP 
Director Larry Trent.

Class-4 felonies can carry a prison term of one to three years and/or a 
fine of up to $25,000.

Other legislation noted includes the Methamphetamine Manufacturer Registry, 
which provides anyone with Internet access the names, dates of birth, 
nation of conviction and qualifying offenses of methamphetamine 
manufacturers convicted on or after June 5, 2006.

According to the Illinois crime statistics, 973 methamphetamine labs were 
seized in 2005, compared to 793 in 2006 and 446 in 2007.

St. Clair said that with the falling number of drug arrests, other areas do 
seem to stand out more.

"I hate to say it, but it's criminal sexual abuse," he said in reference to 
the big problem targeted by his agency. "It would be the child molestation."

On Dec. 11, St. Clair said the Edgar County Jail had six inmates out of 30 
in custody for sex crimes, or 20 percent.

However, last year on the same date, the jail had 56 inmates.

"I think everything else is going down, so it's standing out," he said, 
noting how the percentages jump as population drops.

"Our jail population right now is down. I'm not saying it isn't 
overcrowded," he said, noting that even at 30 inmates the facility is in 
excess of its 28-person capacity. "But we don't have near the people we did 
this time last year."

Ackman also said sex crimes have "maintained" their levels since a spike 
back in 2004 and 2005. And while the numbers aren't continuing to rise, 
they aren't dropping much, either.

"It's definitely a problem," he said.

Statewide mapping capabilities showing names and addresses of those 
registered with the Illinois Sex Offender Registry have increased since 
updates were made in 2007.

The Web site now shows a map with a five-mile radius from a viewer's home, 
and includes locations of schools and parks. Statewide Child Murderer and 
Violent Offender Against Youth databases also have been created, according 
to information provided by Trent.

And while St. Clair credited toughened legislation with helping law 
enforcement, the success of lowered crime rates goes down to the trenches, 
he said.

"I would hope to say that the patrolman out in the street, taking care of 
business," he said of the drop's attribution.

Trent acknowledged the importance of the ground-level officers, as well.

"As pleased as I am with an overall decrease by 3.6 percent in the crime 
rate and a decrease in every category, law enforcement must remain 
diligent," Trent said. "Law enforcement cannot get complacent as a result 
of this overall decrease. We must ensure that resources and manpower are 
utilized effectively to maintain this trend." 
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