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Upswing in Athens burglaries not related to economy, analyst says
LAUREN BELLAMY For The Red & Black
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: News
Last year, Athens saw the largest number of burglaries it had in over a decade.
But the rise in burglaries aren't a result of the poor economy, said David Griffeth, a criminal analyst with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.
"Athens hasn't had the terrible economic problems that other parts of the country have seen," Griffeth said at Tuesday's lecture, entitled "The Effect of the Economic Downturn on Crime."
One reason that Athens is a target for burglaries is because it has a "clash of economic means," Griffeth said. "There are the students and professors who are middle-class or better, and then there are the have-nots."
Overcrowding in local prisons and the rise of juvenile crime have aided to an increasing number of burglaries, he said.
Developing technology and environmental factors also play a role in the rising crime, he said.
"Things with high value, such as laptops, have become ultra-portable," Griffeth said. "It is so much easier to break into someone's house and walk out with valuable items today than it was 50 years ago."
He said the popularity of the internet and auction websites, such as eBay, has drastically changed the market for stolen goods.
"Now, you don't have to involve a third party to sell a stolen item," he said.
While the internet may make it easier for burglars to sell stolen goods, items can be recovered. Last year, University police found several students' stolen items for sale online and were able to obtain them.
Despite police efforts, officials have not been able to find a way to reduce the number of burglaries.
"I knew things were getting bad back in March," Griffeth said, "but we haven't been able to curtail them."
Even with high rates of burglary, Athens' crime rates are some of the best in the state, Griffeth said. In fact, the city ranks lower in violent crime than the national average, he said.
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department are on a constant mission to decrease burglaries, but Griffeth said he thinks it will be difficult to accomplish.
"Burglary is a profitable business," he said.
And in this economy, it may be hard to make people give up a profitable business.
But the rise in burglaries aren't a result of the poor economy, said David Griffeth, a criminal analyst with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.
"Athens hasn't had the terrible economic problems that other parts of the country have seen," Griffeth said at Tuesday's lecture, entitled "The Effect of the Economic Downturn on Crime."
One reason that Athens is a target for burglaries is because it has a "clash of economic means," Griffeth said. "There are the students and professors who are middle-class or better, and then there are the have-nots."
Overcrowding in local prisons and the rise of juvenile crime have aided to an increasing number of burglaries, he said.
Developing technology and environmental factors also play a role in the rising crime, he said.
"Things with high value, such as laptops, have become ultra-portable," Griffeth said. "It is so much easier to break into someone's house and walk out with valuable items today than it was 50 years ago."
He said the popularity of the internet and auction websites, such as eBay, has drastically changed the market for stolen goods.
"Now, you don't have to involve a third party to sell a stolen item," he said.
While the internet may make it easier for burglars to sell stolen goods, items can be recovered. Last year, University police found several students' stolen items for sale online and were able to obtain them.
Despite police efforts, officials have not been able to find a way to reduce the number of burglaries.
"I knew things were getting bad back in March," Griffeth said, "but we haven't been able to curtail them."
Even with high rates of burglary, Athens' crime rates are some of the best in the state, Griffeth said. In fact, the city ranks lower in violent crime than the national average, he said.
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department are on a constant mission to decrease burglaries, but Griffeth said he thinks it will be difficult to accomplish.
"Burglary is a profitable business," he said.
And in this economy, it may be hard to make people give up a profitable business.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Brian
posted 8/14/09 @ 9:01 AM EST
"But the rise in burglaries aren't a result of the poor economy..." Really? The rise aren't? Subject and verb has to agree. I hope you got the joke in the last sentence. (Continued…)
McClarty
posted 8/14/09 @ 12:10 PM EST
I'm willing to overlook the illogic of this article, taken as a whole, and actual contrary quotes, to say Griffeth does offer some insights on the local property crime wave. (Continued…)
Ron
posted 8/14/09 @ 1:30 PM EST
There are many cities similar to Athens in population in GA which have seen a decrease in burglaries. These happen to be areas where cities and police are actually tough on crime, where prosecutors actually do their job and try to get prison time for career criminals, and where judges actually send people to prison. (Continued…)
Andrecus
posted 8/16/09 @ 2:42 PM EST
The ACC government is more interested in providing free housing and money to the criminal underclass than to protect the property and safety of law-abiding citizens. (Continued…)
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