Numbers can be made to say almost anything. But here’s a number we should celebrate. By one measure, Sacramento is becoming a safer city. We moved seven positions – in the right direction – in a national safety survey that looks at hundreds of U.S. cities. The ranking comes from an organization called CQ Press. The methodology behind the stats has been questioned by some experts. The purpose of this blog isn’t to argue the merits or debate the methodology.
No, the bottom line here is all about trends. And any trend that shows the positive impact of our efforts to improve public safety is a trend I’m happy to cheer.
As Sacramento Police Chief Rick Braziel said, declines in crime can be traced to partnerships between the community and the police department.
Making our streets safe is a community effort. Cops can’t do the job by themselves – they need help from every citizen.
Public safety was a priority when I ran for Mayor in 2008, and nothing has changed in the year since I assumed office.
When it came to public safety, the work and improvements have been steady. My office held two gang summits and helped secure funding for more police officers and security cameras.
We avoided layoffs in our police and fire departments when other communities in California were slashing public safety budgets.
We have undertaken many important initiatives in the past 12 months, including education, arts, volunteerism, homelessness, a new entertainment and sports complex and the improvement of the downtown business corridor.
Those are just a few of the great things happening in Sacramento.
But it all starts with public safety. We are moving in the right direction.