Crime

BURBANK -- One hundred years ago, a single city marshal employed by the county was all the township of Burbank required to maintain law and order. Still, it wasn't long before the demand for law enforcement grew. In fact, during the second decade of the century -- with about 1,000 people living in town -- two marshals were killed in the line of duty in a span of six years. In November 1914, City Marshal Luther Colson was shot while clearing a hobo camp at the Southern Pacific railroad tracks near Victory Place.

Ryan Carter The Burbank Crime Stoppers wants a greater opportunity to do its job. The volunteer group, which runs on a shoestring budget, is renewing its effort to tell residents that they can make anonymous calls with information about crimes. "What we really need to do is get the word out," board President Jeanne Vlazny said, lamenting the sometimes indifferent responses the group gets. "People are so afraid of retribution. But if I'm at the [Burbank]

Burbank made it through 2010 without a single homicide, according to year-end figures released this week by the Police Department. And despite a sharp increase in the reported incidents of prostitution, the overall crime rate fell 1%during Police Chief Scott LaChasse's first year in Burbank. The lack of homicides in 2010 came after a decline from two in 2008 to one in 2009, according to the Police Department's crime report to the FBI. The number of arrests for prostitution or vice-related offenses was more than eight times the number in 2009, a trend LaChasse attributed to an increased emphasis of enforcement by Burbank police.

Ben Godar With a network of data just a click away, Burbank Police officials believe they've given officers the tools to reduce crime in the city. The Crime Analysis Tracking System -- or CATS -- a network of crime data software, went online in February of 2001. The system allows every Burbank police officer to access and review crime reports as soon as they are filed. Police traditionally have had access only to periodic reports on crime trends, and Lt. Kevin Kraft said that a single crime analyst usually reviewed the information.

DOWNTOWN — Crime in Burbank dropped 8% in 2009, mirroring a slide across Los Angeles County despite escalating unemployment and a sluggish economy, according to year-end figures released Monday by the Police Department. The number of homicides dropped from two in 2008 to one last year, according to the department’s FBI uniform crime report. Interim Burbank Police Chief Scott LaChasse, a 32-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, attributed declines across the region in part to “hardening the target,” the law enforcement tactic of beefing up security to minimize the risk of an attack or theft.

Ryan Carter BURBANK -- A recent rise in burglaries and thefts pushed up the city's crime rate for 2000, officials said. The California Crime Index, the state's measure of crimes per 100,000 people in Burbank, rose from 1,221 in 1999 to 1,270 in 2000, according to data released Monday by California Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer. The spike comes after five years of declining crime rates and might have to do with the number of major retail hubs in the city that attract criminals, officials said.

Ryan Carter Police are touting a decrease in crime last year paralleled by reductions in theft and violent crime. The total number of what police call Part 1 offenses -- murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary and theft -- decreased by 5% from the year before, according to police data. Last year, 3,216 Part 1 crimes were reported, compared to 3,377 the previous year. Police were surprised at the numbers because crime tends to fester when the economy slumps, they said.

Ryan Carter BURBANK -- Community liaison officers in the Burbank Police Department are considering holding events in the city for National Night Out Against Crime next year. The department does not celebrate the national event, which is designed to promote interaction between police and communities. In surrounding communities, such as Glendale and Tujunga, the event is characterized by block parties and entertainment with police schmoozing with local residents.

Ryan Carter BURBANK -- Crime is rising in Burbank faster than the state average, based on a report released this week by the state attorney general. The city's crime index -- the year-to-year change in the total number of reported crimes -- increased 6.7% from 2000 to 2001. During the same period, the state's overall crime rate rose 6.3%. Violent crimes -- murder, aggravated assault, rape and robbery -- saw the most drastic local increase. Robberies were among the greatest increases, going from 86 in 2000 to 122 reported last year, a 42% increase.