Eureka Police: Commercial Burglaries, Violent Crime, Domestic Violence Now on the Rise
Photo: EPD.
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Press release from the Eureka Police Department:
Six
weeks into the Shelter in Place order (SIP) and the Eureka Police
Department (EPD) is as busy as ever. Self-initiated and proactive
patrols are up 25% compared to pre-SIP, with an average of 93
self-initiated contacts or patrols a day. Many of these patrols
include business security checks. Officers have learned which
businesses are closed or have adjusted hours and have adapted their
patrols accordingly.
Initially
EPD did not see an increase in calls for service during the SIP;
however, at this six-week mark, the rate of calls for service has
increased slightly. In addition to the 93 self-initiated patrols a
day, EPD has handled an average of 112 calls for service per day.
EPD chart
Despite
the focused upsurge in proactive business security checks by
officers, commercial burglaries (specifically the breaking of a
window to steal goods while the business is closed) have increased
about 30%. EPD’s Criminal Investigations Section and Problem
Oriented Policing Team have been investigating these crimes and
working diligently to make arrests while assisting businesses with
improving their security measures.
Violent
crime in general also appears to be trending upward. Most concerning
and in line with National trends, is the increase in domestic
violence. 21 domestic violence related reports have been taken
during the SIP, which is a 50% higher rate than pre-SIP. Eight
arrests for domestic violence have been made, a 30% higher rate.
It
is important to note that EPD is still here and fully prepared to
respond to your call for help.
EPD Chief Steve Watson had this to
add:
“Domestic violence should never happen to anyone but it
does all too frequently, often going unreported. Abuse
is never okay but you are not alone. The COVID-19 emergency has not
changed in the least how we willrespond to
and handle domestic violence cases.
We will arrest offenders and they will be booked into the Humboldt
County Jail.”
“If
you need counseling, advice, emergency shelter, help with requesting
a restraining order, or someone to accompany you to court, you may
contact Humboldt
Domestic Violence Services’ (http://hdvs.org/)24-hour
support line # (707-443-6042) or the Self Help Center (825 Fifth
Street, Eureka, 707-445-7256).
“The Humboldt County Victim Witness
Program is also another important resource (707-445-7417).
“For those
experiencing a psychiatric emergency, help is available through the
Department of Health and Human Services Mental Health 24-hour crisis
line (707-445-7715) or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(1-800-273-8255).”