They say that statistics can be twisted to tell almost any story, but in the case of the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research’s latest findings it appears that there is little in the way of bad news for Maitland.
Maitland has received an A-plus report card, with the statistics revealing that none of the major crime categories rose in the period January 2010 to December 2011.
Unfortunately, the same could not be said for Cessnock, with car theft and break-in numbers through the roof.
Statewide, increases in the number of kidnappings and possession of amphetamines are of concern.
Similarly, the recent shootings across Sydney – “five shootings in five hours, 20 shootings in just over two weeks and 48 shootings so far this year” as Opposition Leader John Robertson is quick to point out – are also not included in these latest figures and will have to be
reckoned with in the future.
Front up at any of the courts in the district, including Maitland and Kurri Kurri, on any given day of the week and it may be hard to believe the bureau’s findings.
The crimes, from fraud to glassings, hold-ups to
stalking, are enough to leave many residents of this city
fearful.
So too is the frustration that many victims of crime feel when they attempt to call police for help or report incidents – only to be told that there are no officers available.
Residents in areas such as Beresfield have also been crying out for a greater police presence in their
neighbourhood for some years.
What is for certain is that the arrival on May 4 of three graduating police officers from the Goulburn Police Academy will help boost morale both within the force and on the streets of our city.
The worst thing that could happen would be for people to stop reporting crime in the belief that the police are too thin on the group or lack the motivation to help.
That would only serve to give the next round of crime statistics a “false positive” – and that serves no one any good.
