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Nov 18, 2008 5:44 pm US/Central
Is Financial Meltdown Bringing More Crime?
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
There are growing signs that crime in Chicago is on the upswing, and that the worsening economy may be playing a big role in that.
CBS 2's Mike Parker reports that you should lock your valuables and your front door tight and stay alert to your surroundings. It looks as if there are more criminals around than there used to be. And the reason might be the troubled economy.
"Well you have to look at the facts. Our property crimes are up a little bit, robberies are up a little bit," said Supt. Jody Weis, Chicago Police Department.
Reported burglaries in the city are up too, from an average of $2100 per month during the first part of the year to an average of almost $2,400 over the past three months - a 9.5 percent increase.
"And you look at the economy, I think we're about 2 percent more in unemployment than we were a year ago at this time," Weis said.
There is anecdotal evidence from the business world that employee thefts are increasing. Many retailers are reportedly ratcheting up their in-store security systems.
Those systems will also be used to fight what some stores are describing as an increase in shoplifting cases. Mayor Daley is suggesting that a lot of this can be blamed on those he calls, "people in dire straits."
"Especially in economic hard times, you have to figure a lot of people take this real personal when it takes place," Daley said. "They lose their jobs; lose their homes and things like that. This is a very challenging thing to happen."
Some of those in "dire straits" may become increasingly desperate as the holidays approach.
Weis recommends being extra careful with Christmas gifts in your car and as you carry them through crowded shopping scenes. He says there's always a bad guy who wants to steal your presents.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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