Number of calls to police in Cedar Rapids declines

Calls to Cedar Rapids police have dropped by about three-thousand this year compared to the same time last year. Police have also arrested about 200 fewer people this year compared last.

Some neighbors think crime is dropping, too. Others aren't so sure. Calls to police in Wellington Heights have dropped by about sixteen percent this year compared to the same time last year.

Places like the Paul Engle Center host events in the area to build up the neighborhood. Yet, some parents aren't convinced crime has actually decreased.

“It's crap when you can't even send your kids to the park because you're scared they're going to get beat up,” Wellington Heights resident Shaunessey Saldivar said, “I would definitely leave if I could.”

Not too far away, long-time Mound View neighborhood residents also find it odd that people called Cedar Rapids police to that part of town about 560 fewer times this year compared to last year.

“Some people are scared of what might come back at them if they find out who called,” Mound View resident Grace Christensen said.

At the same time, people have noticed police are paying a little more attention to the area.

“I think the police might be doing a better job. They come around a bit more than they used to,” Christensen said.

Police have responded to 662 fewer calls in the the Oakhill/Jackson neighborhood this year. Some think the community members and the local landlords have helped curb the crime by forcing out problematic tenants.

Yet, work to improve this part of town continues.

“Everybody knows where the problem areas are. If the city would start cleaning up in those areas, the crime rate would continue to go down,” Oakhill/Jackson resident Josette Doolin said.

All three well-known neighborhoods are showing signs of improvement so far, but the true test will come during the summer months - when crime typically increases throughout the city.

-Mark Geary, KCRG-TV9 News