Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006 | Re: “Crime Rides High In Mission Beach,” by Daniel Strumpf. A considerable number of us have looked this article over and are quite dismayed at the statement, “A review of city crime statistics shows that since 2001, the average crime rates in Mission Beach for both violent and property crimes are about double those of nearby Pacific Beach…”
It’s very interesting how a selective gleaning from statistics will often eliminate an important truth. One such elimination would seem to be the fact that in a recent three month period, in a one mile radius from the center of Pacific Beach, there were 24 sexual assaults reported. I know of no area in the city that can match that. And that’s just one example of what’s REALLY happening in our little beach community.
I would imagine that Daniel Strumpf really didn’t mean to eliminate such important information, but sometimes we do get rushed when we are facing a deadline, right? It is hoped that he can reconsider what is really going on in our community.
Strumpf might also take a look at the colorful posters in so many of the PB shops, telling about the self-defense/pepper pen classes. He might also want to take a close look at some new ideas being suggested to help solve the patrol officer depopulation. And there is that concept of a great new image for Pacific Beach, based on the development of murals and an annual art fair. It’s a far better image than that of a wild, out of control party town, wouldn’t you say?
Yes, the problems are major in Pacific Beach as well as in Mission Beach (and in many other communities around San Diego as well). And we’re trying our very best to do something about it.