The low crime rate is good news for people living in San Diego. But it’s bad news when the San Diego Police Department tries to get money from the federal government.
The police department says crime in San Diego dropped about 16 percent in the first half of 2009 compared to the same time a year ago. But that statistic worked against the department when it applied for $28 million in federal stimulus money. Mayor Jerry Sanders says the federal government told San Diego its crime rate was too low for the city to receive any money. Sanders says he’s heard that from the government before.
“And what they always tell us is you have a very small staff, you do an incredible job, you’ve got a low crime rate and we’re going to put the money in other places. And my response has always been you should reward departments who refuse to change and work with the community,” he says.
The police department says crime dropped in most categories, including a 10 percent decrease in rapes and a nearly 29 percent decrease in car theft.
