Unreported crimes in your town?

outlander

outlander

Member
Location
southern Arizona
A couple of years ago my son witnessed a vehicle shooting where a victim was killed. It was talked about on social media but never made the news. Just a few months ago there was a double homicide at a fast food place believed to be a drug deal gone bad. I have personally seen a local convenience store closed for several hours with multiple police vehicles a half a dozen times. This is next door to a place I park waiting for gig orders, obviously they were robberies. Again none of these ever hit the local news. These are just a few of many examples of unreported crimes.

Crime statistics sure look decent on paper;) I am sure this is not the only county in the US that sweeps serious crimes under the rug.

I just found out that 43 license plate cameras where secretly installed during the night time by a dubious company named Flock that has had data release issues in other cities.

I feel it is time to move on and find a better place to live, but maybe that doesn't exist anymore?
 

outlander said:
I just found out that 43 license plate cameras where secretly installed during the night time by a dubious company named Flock that has had data release issues in other cities.

I feel it is time to move on and find a better place to live, but maybe that doesn't exist anymore?
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Doesn't matter who's in power... your freedom is an illusion. It's like links in a chain, slowly, they remove one link at a time until one day, you wake up and find you can't move. :mad: :mad:
 
I don't know if that happens here if I don't see one happening to be able to watch for it.
With so many not even being charged and detained lately, maybe they aren't worth reporting
to the public if it hits a brick wall.
I don't understand a lot of how things are done now myself.
So are the cameras you mentioned for reporting crimes or just for keeping track of people's movements?
 

IrishEyes said:
I don't know if that happens here if I don't see one happening to be able to watch for it.
With so many not even being charged and detained lately, maybe they aren't worth reporting
to the public if it hits a brick wall.
I don't understand a lot of how things are done now myself.
So are the cameras you mentioned for reporting crimes or just for keeping track of people's movements?
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The cameras are specifically for tracking vehicle movement.
 
I don’t have any actual knowledge on this subject.

That said, I’m confused by your term “unreported crimes” If there was a police presence then obviously the crimes were reported. So I’m assuming you mean that the crimes weren’t reported to the public via news outlets.

It’s always been my general understanding that not every crime gets news coverage. How some crimes get reported in the media, and others do not, is often a mystery to me. Clearly crimes involving high profile figures are reported routinely, in part because reporters and paparazzi are always following such people.

I also assume that no every crime that news outlets get wind of is covered. That would depend on all kinds of things I think…if there was a bigger story elsewhere, if they had the manpower, what the editor decided was newsworthy, etc.

News reporting has always seemed fickle and random to me.
 
I wouldn't have a clue what hasn't been reported in our area. For several years now, we haven't longer have a local newspaper, nothing gets reported ..unless someone mentions it on the neighbourhood App... so murders could be happening around here, we wouldn't have a clue. It's verrrrry annoying...
 
outlander said:
next door to a place I park waiting for gig orders, obviously they were robberies. Again none of these ever hit the local news. These are just a few of many examples of unreported crimes.
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With each water bill, we get a summary of how many calls went in to 911, how many arrests, and various other crime statistics, but if some were omitted, we would probably have no way of knowing.
outlander said:
The cameras are specifically for tracking vehicle movement.
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I'm not disputing your claim or saying it didn't / doesn't happen, but it's hard to understand to what end or advantage that would serve since there's no law limiting movement.
 
About 15 years ago we reported someone taking a flip phone and loose change out of my son’s parked car. It happened on the fishing opener weekend. The friendly deputy wrote up the incident and then returned to his duties of putting up ATV trail signs (or something like that) after telling us to lock our cars.

Also, on that night a neighbor said that someone stole about 2 gallons of gas from a container sitting outside their garage. That “crime“ of the “spree” did not get reported however.

It’s a different world out here. Most folks have guns and big dogs.
 
Ronni said:
That said, I’m confused by your term “unreported crimes” If there was a police presence then obviously the crimes were reported. So I’m assuming you mean that the crimes weren’t reported to the public via news outlets.

It’s always been my general understanding that not every crime gets news coverage. How some crimes get reported in the media, and others do not, is often a mystery to me. Clearly crimes involving high profile figures are reported routinely, in part because reporters and paparazzi are always following such people.

I also assume that no every crime that news outlets get wind of is covered. That would depend on all kinds of things I think…if there was a bigger story elsewhere, if they had the manpower, what the editor decided was newsworthy, etc.

News reporting has always seemed fickle and random to me.
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I also was confused.
Obviously there was knowledge of the crime.

I don't have a problem if there are not enough reporters to be on site covering every incident that happens within a multicounty area. There is just not the money for that!
 
some places are better than others to find what is happening in your area.
local news in my area is worthless have to learn from local independent sources.

Tracking cameras are not necessary about crime but maybe tracking as so many now want to tax vehicles per mile drove or tolls etc.
 
In Germany often crimes of asylum seekers from Africa and the Middle East are not reported.

On New Years Eve 2015/16 there were hundreds of women in Cologne threatened and molested by such migrants but mainstream TV stations and press remained silent for three days.

Edit: I have added the year.
 
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We have one local type newspaper, it stopped reporting loacal
crime several years ago, no radio stations, and even tho the local
school system broadcast H.S. games, there is no news coverage...
 
hawkdon said:
We have one local type newspaper, it stopped reporting loacal
crime several years ago, no radio stations, and even tho the local
school system broadcast H.S. games, there is no news coverage...
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It's diabolical isn't it ?.. what's the game is what I want to know... Not allowing citizens to be aware of crime happening around them so they can take precautions... is odd to me, I'm not understanding this at all
 
My city has used Flock for the last couple of years and there has been some concern over what Flock does with the data collected.

Personally, I don’t have any issues with the license plate readers and speed cameras or what they choose to do with the information collected.

Minor property crime and vandalism stats are improving on paper but IMO it’s because people don’t bother to report the quality of life crimes because nothing is done about them.

Our local law enforcement is primarily interested in keeping a lid on things as opposed to actively enforcing the law.

Sadly, it’s up to each of us to use our common sense and good judgment to protect ourselves and our property as best we can.

Maybe it was never any different but it certainly feels different.

I would be very, very, reluctant to contact a law enforcement agency for any reason.
 
hollydolly said:
I wouldn't have a clue what hasn't been reported in our area. For several years now, we haven't longer have a local newspaper, nothing gets reported ..unless someone mentions it on the neighbourhood App... so murders could be happening around here, we wouldn't have a clue. It's verrrrry annoying...
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Same here. I no longer get a local paper and never watch the TV news so am oblivious of community happenings. I really miss a good local newspaper, I'd still be subscribing if we had one.
 
It’s the same with our newspapers. The cost of printing and the profit probably doesn’t warrant the space needed for smaller crimes. Same for tv news, they want sensational.

People don’t bother reporting the smaller crimes. The police are limited in their time and actually want them to for statistics. It’s a double edged sword.

Social media is your source for local crimes.
 
outlander said:
A couple of years ago my son witnessed a vehicle shooting where a victim was killed. It was talked about on social media but never made the news. Just a few months ago there was a double homicide at a fast food place believed to be a drug deal gone bad. I have personally seen a local convenience store closed for several hours with multiple police vehicles a half a dozen times. This is next door to a place I park waiting for gig orders, obviously they were robberies. Again none of these ever hit the local news. These are just a few of many examples of unreported crimes.

Crime statistics sure look decent on paper;) I am sure this is not the only county in the US that sweeps serious crimes under the rug.

I just found out that 43 license plate cameras where secretly installed during the night time by a dubious company named Flock that has had data release issues in other cities.

I feel it is time to move on and find a better place to live, but maybe that doesn't exist anymore?
Click to expand...
Unreported by the media or unreported in public records?
 
You would think police showing up would guarantee a proper report that would be represented in statistics?

Nope, the homicide rate is not accurate in posted crime statistics. In an area of about 65,000 people you would think there would be some sort of news organization reporting on TV or in a local newspaper? Nope, nada. The nearest major city might report on a criminal incident if it was sensational enough. Apparently homicides and the like are not worthy of that. It is clear to local residents that the city and county governments prefer that crime does not get any publicity. That allows us to have a perceived safer area(y)
 
I know around here if the cases involve minors they don't end up being reported in the paper as much. Or there may be a short report while they are investigating things. They never report on suicides. Except in the case where a man shot himself at our hospital.
 
I wonder if we knew how many of "our neighbors" have been stopped by the police or even taken in for
questioning whether caught in the act or just because it looked suspicious to someone, that could be listed in local papers.
Where is the line for sheer need for gossip or real true concern for public safety?

How would just reading the report effect you about them or the area you live in, especially if it was found to have been
nothing of concern of a crime being committed after it had been posted for all to see? What if were you?

I don't think I want to know how many people were stopped over someone assuming this other person was doing wrong in some way
or they just didn't like the looks of them, they way they walked or what they wore.

It would lead to that, you know it would. A certain Community Facebook page near me is full of nosey bodies constantly posting photos
of people or cars for doing something they don't like or don't understand. They would have the police chasing down every one in the town
at some point between them all trying to be the 1st to be the one that helped catch that guy.

This world is sure not like it was and it probably never ever will be again.
 
People are not like they were and never will be again:(

I sure don't want to know about petty or civil crimes. However, I would like fair reporting on homicide and armed robberies so that I might be able to avoid, prepare for, or be aware of potential threats or dangerous situations/areas that may not be so obvious.

Some people might consider me a bit paranoid already, but failing to recognize society as a dangerous place is not the best philosophy for preserving one's health and well being.
 
@outlander I can understand your desire to be made aware of certain areas and situations to prepare you but, in all honesty, anywhere people go can be a dangerous place where anything could happen at any given time. And usually it's a quiet and sudden event that catches people off guard.

Places you would never expect to be fraught with criminal activity in broad daylight can turn an innocent shopping trip into a nightmare. Best advice is just to be aware of your surroundings at all times. That is your best defense.
 
People are not like they were and never will be again:(
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This is where you do not fail to recognize society as a dangerous place. You are aware, diligent and careful about your surroundings
and neighborhood. You are not living in a shell of denial. Trust yourself.
Could bad things happen, maybe so, but you could live in the safest area on earth and here comes that ONE person one day from nowhere.

I remember years ago a lady reported one of her vehicles stolen. Her husband was away for a family emergency and had given his
truck key to his co-worker to use to move his furniture. He forgot to tell his wife.
The co-worker got caught with the truck and taken in until it could be cleared up, in the meantime, guess what happened? Rumors spread
people told people what they read. some who didn't know the man and some who did. Even after it was cleared up people who didn't know
him personally pointed him out as a car thief because no one bothered to clear up the rumors. This wasn't something the man laughed
about for many years. But we don't see retractions printed on these types of things.

I know of a few more examples of this happening so it's not uncommon as you may think.

I would say after or during a trail/hearing if found guilty and sentenced is a proper time. On knowing if there is a rash of
break-ins or that type of situation you would like to be aware of, I understand what you are saying.
I remember when we had enough officers and less crime keeping them busy that they would come walk a neighborhood
and inform my parents or grandparents of things to be on the look out for.
So whose fault is it that this can't happen anymore? What a shame it all got so out of hand and so dangerous for us
as well as the police.
 
Here in the UK there are lots of resources online where we can research crimes in any area.
Local Police forces and various websites list them, including the nature of those crimes.
The local TV news progs, the local papers (available at the shops) also report on what's happening in the area.
On occasions in cities, I've seen posters with pictures highlighting baddies either asking for any info of their whereabouts or highlighting their particular violent crime.
..

As an aside, there's so much info out there these days of t'internet, not just for crimes, but the demographics of an area, schools etc - great for those thinking, or having to move and wanting the gen before taking the plunge.

..

Off topic..
(Newspapers. Pardon me while I talk newspapers and reminisce :))
It always surprises me how many folk still buy them, maybe it's for crosswords and timeout as in the old ways before screens.
Something so relaxing, personal, civilised, being in our own world having that 'time out' with a brew/coffee/pint while out in the pub, sitting in the park or by a river, or coffee bar sitting in the corner in our own world of newspaper print on our hands, peering over the newspaper watching and listening to the world go by instead of slouching at screens, frantically swiping and reading an article which leads on to another article, then another... taken along by whatever we're looking at and getting more and more stressed out rather than relaxed).
 

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