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John Daley reportingHelicopters, police dogs, the latest in high-tech crime fighting equipment on display at Monday night's "Night Out Against Crime." But organizers say neighbors are the key to keeping crime at bay.
"Really it's about taking care of each other."
Each year thousands of Utahns fall victim to violent crime. Tens of thousands to property crime. But law enforcement agencies want to get the word out. There's plenty you can do to make your life safer.
Monday night around the U.S. and around Utah, it's the event called the "Night Out Against Crime." The message is clear--there is a lot each of us can do.
We tracked down the latest statistics and found the most common crimes are also ones we can take proactive steps to prevent.
It's an annual event, with the "Night Out Against Crime" communities coming together to grapple with the issue, which many here say does worry them.
"Mostly drugs."
"My kids and the predators on the street."
"I think the growing problem with the drugs and the kids and the schools. And the crime that comes along with it."
Though it's extraordinary cases like that of Elizabeth Smart or Lori Hacking which grab the headlines, the most recent Utah statistics--through September of 2004--show those kinds of violent crimes are pretty rare.
According to Utah's Bureau of Criminal Investigation, violent robberies and aggravated assaults are far more common.
Police say many violent crimes, like the recent case in Holladay of the man who shot his estranged wife and then killed himself, involve a common ingredient.
Sgt. Jim Winder/ Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office: "Most violent crimes, especially in terms of homicides, are known-perpetrator to known victim.. domestic violence."
Property crimes are more than ten times more common than violent crimes in Utah. Larceny and theft are number one, and most of those involve homes and automobiles.
The best crime deterent police say is getting to know your neighbors, patterns in your neighborhood, and take charge of your property, making it less enticing to would-be criminals, like removing valuable from your car for instance, something many here say they're already doing.
Reporter: "Do you ever leave anything in there? Your gold bars and jewelry and things?"
Gary Collins/ Magna Resident: "French fry wrappers and Big Gulp cups."
Reporter: "So far you've been safe with that, huh?"
Collins: "They've not bothered it."
Vickie Jenkins/ Magna Resident: "Alarm systems, keep light on, motion lights."
Susan Collins/ Magna Resident: "We've got an alarm system. We try to lock our cars, be careful that way."
Gary Collins/ Magna Resident: "We've helped with the Neighborhood Watch and put a burglar alarm in our house."
Reporter: "Has that helped?"
Collins: "We haven't had any trouble. Keep a lot of lights on at night."
Police also suggest if you've been the victim of a crime, report it! That way police know what's happening in your community and then they at least have the chance to catch whoever did it, something they can't do if you don't report it.
