Kickin' Criminal Ass


Printed on: Thu, Jul 19, 2007
Crackdown on crime is needed
By Kelvin Wade

It's unfortunate that this week's fatal shooting at a Grande Circle apartment complex came on the heels of a successful two week Street Crimes Apprehension Team or SCAT sweep that resulted in 50 felony and 64 misdemeanor arrests throughout Fairfield. This type of inter-agency policing should have the long-term effect of lowering crime in Fairfield.

I'm finishing Malcolm Gladwell's excellent book, "The Tipping Point" and have been impressed by what the author has to say about the broken windows theory, first articulated by criminologists George Kelling and James Q. Wilson. Their point was that social disorder in the form of a rundown neighborhood and apathy by police and residents create a fertile ground for crime infestation. According to Gladwell, crime waves behave like epidemics.

According to the theory, which is not without controversy, the way to combat crime is to rehabilitate decrepit areas and have maximum police enforcement of any minor violations of the law because in the long run, it would prevent more serious crime.

How does that work in the real world? Fairfield has literally demolished some old, bad neighborhoods and replaced them with expensive housing and has eliminated the crime in those areas.

If the word on the street is that the cost of committing crime in Fairfield is low, we're going to see drug dealing, shootings and out-of-control house parties packed with people from other communities.

Enter the SCAT team conducting raids on parolees and busting those not in compliance with terms of their parole. Statewide we have more parolees than parole agents can handle. Those ex-cons who are not in compliance are probably up to no good.

Fairfield police also ran several sting operations. Stings are great because of the word of mouth they generate on the street. It makes thugs think twice about committing that crime because it may just be a set up.

The subtitle to Gladwell's book, "How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference" is spot-on when it comes to law enforcement. Criminals are rarely busted in the act. Often, it's minor infractions that capture serious criminals. Remember that the Son of Sam was caught by a parking ticket, Ted Bundy by a stolen car.

It's been reported that Racardo Jackson, the suspected shooter in the Grande Circle homicide, has a lengthy criminal record including arrests in 1993 for robbery, in 1994 for auto theft and in 2002 for drugs. A roust wherever he lived might've found this ex-con in possession of a firearm and prevented a murder.

What also can't go unmentioned is the reaction by neighbors in the aftermath of Sunday's shooting. They got the suspect's description and rushed out to help the victim. It sends a message to thugs that we're watching.

The City Council did the right thing by giving new Police Chief Kenton Rainey the deputy chief he requested. Some letter-writing residents have voiced their displeasure with Chief Rainey. Please. Let's give the man a chance. We're on the right track.

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