The recession has hit home when it comes to a number of aspects of life in Duchesne County, including the crime rate. Statistics recently released by the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office show that crime rose in all categories tracked by the sheriff’s office from 2008 to 2009.

Sheriff Travis Mitchell said it’s clear that the economic downturn is to blame for the jump in crime, particularly those related to domestic abuse.

Mitchell said this type of crime is being called in more frequently lately, sometimes two and three times a night. And deputies said that the perpetrators are often jobless.

“They said people are sitting around with no work,” the sheriff said. “They start drinking and start fighting. The recession has definitely had a major impact.”
Property-related crimes such as theft, burglary and criminal mischief — always among the worst problems in the county — posted a significant spike last year.
Burglaries rose by 241 percent, going from 46 in 2008 to 157 in 2009. Thefts were up by 77 percent, going from 146 in 2008 to 259 in 2009. Criminal mischief climbed by 65 percent, with 85 reported incidents in 2008, and 141 in 2009.

The high number of criminal activity in these areas, where there are typically more than one person charged with the same crime, also increases the number of arrests.

“Say we had an incident where we had three guys that went and committed a burglary,” Mitchell said. “We would only have one burglary, but yet we would have three arrests.”

Juvenile crime also spiked, he said, noting that statistics showing juveniles involved in crime tripled from 2008 to 2009.

“We've had lots of problems with juveniles this year,” Mitchell said. “Lots of parties, underage drinking, ungovernable (parental conflict) and tobacco violations. We need the economy to get better. I think kids generally are struggling more with the way things are. It seems like a lot of them are having more problems.”

Mitchell has seen the face of crime change throughout his years in law enforcement, growing increasingly disturbing.

“We're seeing a lot more weird stuff that you never would have thought that you'd run into,” he said. “I don't know what it is. It's just society's disintegration. It's definitely been reflected here in these numbers.”

Statistics show that when people are unemployed, self-esteem is affected, giving rise to excessive use of alcohol and drugs.

Alcohol-related offenses in Duchesne County also posted a dramatic rise, with an increase of 93 percent from 2008 to 2009. Crimes directly linked to drug possession or sales rose by 82 percent.

Sheriff’s investigators are also battling a dramatic rise in child abuse, which is up by 70 percent; a 400 percent increase in sex offenses; and a 27 percent increase in assaults — all with fewer deputies than the department had just a few years ago.

“We're down two officers from two years ago, but yet these guys are out there taking care of business and I feel like they're doing an excellent job,” the sheriff said. “The increases, they're handling it well and they're solving crime. I feel like overall they're doing a dang good job. There is always room for improvement, but they're doing pretty well for what they're faced with.”

Mitchell said the job is made easier thanks to the cooperative efforts between county and city law enforcement agencies — something he said has been ongoing for a very long time.

“When I was on patrol there were times I'd be on something alone,” Mitchell said. “I'd look and have a Roosevelt officer behind me there. It's been a good thing and we've worked together very well.

Roosevelt Police Chief Rick Harrison agreed.

“The county will come if we have a family fight going on or anything of that sort and their guys are close to town,” Harrison said. “They'll come and help us and we'll do the same with them if the case is close to town. It's usually not the big cases, just the everyday.”

Duchesne County crimes

Type                               2008                         2009

Child abuse                           96                             163
Sex offenses                          9                               40
Assaults                             116                              147
Burglary                               46                              157
Thefts                               146                              259
Criminal mischief                    85                              141
Drug incidents                     109                              198
Alcohol offenses                  176                              339
Suicide                                  7                                 11
Public assist                      6,466                            9,692
Assist other jurisdictions     1,312                            3,498
Citations                          4,349                            5,438
Arrests                            1,117                            5,982*
Juvenile offenses                 111                               346
Animal control                     228                               268

* This figure represents the number of crimes committed, not the number of individuals arrested.

NOTE: The 2009 statistics run through November only. December statistics were not included.

SOURCE: Duchesne County Sheriff's Office


SIDEBAR

Victim’s Advocate
Marcie Jenson is the victim's advocate coordinator for Duchesne County. Contact the sheriff's office for more information at (435) 738-2015 or at (435) 722-8003. “She can help with victims of any crime or at least direct them where they can get help if there are things beyond her resources,” Sheriff Travis Mitchell said. “It doesn't matter what kind of victim or how old they are.”