Cedar Rapids crime statistics misleading

Satisfaction in the Cedar Rapids Police Department seems to be measured about the same as success in Vietnam was - body counts. If that doesn't give you complete confidence, then we switch to percentages, but as The Gazette pointed out by quoting the numbers, it seems to have an interesting effect (“C.R. police tout decline in robberies,” Jan. 22).

Shots fired reports drop by 12.5 percent, which means eight fewer reports. So what happened? Have people just quit reporting or was it something the police did? Burglary decreased by 13 and considering the previous year total of 933, that isn't even enough to mention a percentage.

Going after those crimes - usually victimless - gives me a real feeling of security.

Aggravated assault increased by 23 percent, which is part of the violent crime statistic, but the entire violent crime category increased by only 7 percent for a total of 35 crimes? Yep, no doubt we are winning the war on crime.

Steve Hanken

Cedar Rapids