Crime in Port Arthur down 33 percent

Crime in Port Arthur down 33 percent
By FRED DAVIS, The Enterprise
06/13/2008
Updated 06/13/2008 12:12:08 AM CDT

It was a murderous start to 2008 for Port Arthur, with the city recording four homicides in the first 33 days of the year.

However, things have calmed down considerably since then, as the city hasn't recorded another murder, and crime overall is down 33 percent through the first five months of 2008 versus the same time in 2007.

"We've put a tremendous amount of people in jail," said Port Arthur Police Chief Mark Blanton. "We've gone after violent criminals and it's paid off."

Blanton credits the drop in crime to a strong police presence on Port Arthur streets, as well as joint task-force efforts with federal law enforcement that has netted significant results, such as the recent operations with Immigration and Customs Enforcement that captured dozens of undocumented immigrants, including gang members.

"We plan on conducting more of those operations that will target illegal aliens committing crime in our community," Blanton said.

Thus far in 2008 versus last year, Port Arthur has seen double-digit decreases in robberies, burglaries, thefts and auto thefts while murders, aggravated assaults and sexual assaults have posted slight increases - one each for murders and sexual assaults, 11 for aggravated assaults.

Of course with the summer here and idle time looming, Blanton said he's expecting a bump in crime within the next few months - as is generally the case in the summer.

"We'll see a rise in burglaries, thefts and vandalism calls," he said. "Kids get bored and get themselves in trouble."

But with summer programs from Port Arthur's Parks and Recreation Department, as well as the police department teaming up with the Port Arthur school district to provide programs for kids to attend, Blanton hopes kids - and adults - will avoid the wrong side of the law.

Otherwise it will be a long summer.

"If you commit crime in Port Arthur," Blanton proclaimed, "we're going to give you the most time we can."

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