Coeur d'Alene: How Low Can Crime Rates Go?

In Coeur d'Alene, crime rates have dropped so much that even the police chief is surprised. "I'm shocked at how low it is, " said Lee White, the city's police chief. From January to September this year, major crimes like burglary and theft have decreased by 13% compared to last year. If we look back to 2015, these crimes have dropped by a whopping 63%. Other offenses, such as alcohol use and vandalism, are also down. For instance, DUIs (Driving Under the Influence) have gone down by 29%. Chief White believes that smart policing and community ties have played a big role in reducing crime. His team of around 100 officers has been working hard. They respond quickly to emergencies and take time to build relationships with citizens. They also focus on catching felons and putting them behind bars. The bike unit has been especially helpful in keeping the downtown area safe this summer. Alcohol offenses have decreased by 93% in the first nine months of this year. Officers are stopping people before they drive under the influence. Coeur d'Alene has also set up special task forces to deal with opioid abuse and internet crimes against children. These efforts have been successful. The city has made 58 arrests this year related to registered sex offenders. The city's population has been growing, but crime rates have been falling. In 2014, there were over 2, 000 major crimes with a population of about 47, 000. This year, it's expected to be less than 700 crimes with a population of about 57, 000. Few cities can boast this achievement. Chief White credits "intelligence-based policing" for this success. Despite all this, Chief White isn't sure if crime rates can go any lower. "I don't want to jinx it, " he said. "I'm hopeful, though. "