Crime in Montgomery
Until today I've only been peripherally aware of how bad crime was here in Montgomery. I heard that the FBI announced that Montgomery was the highest-crime mid-sized city a year or two back, but I live in a gated community (no guarantee of safety) and work on federal installation, so I haven't had crime affect me directly. Anyone have the tally of where we fall on the FBI's list this year?
Last night a person who works where I do was robbed at gun point and pistol whipped upon arrival at the Marriott Courtyard on Carmichael and East Boulevard; yes, on the East side of town. The thief got away with only a watch, and the innocent citizen was lucky to get away with their life and some minor injuries. For the record the Marriott Courtyard has no security cameras.
This particular citizen happens to be traveling to Montgomery to do their job. Their employer pays for them to travel to Montgomery, do their job, eat, drink, lodge, and shop here (I doubt he'll be buying a replacement watch in this city.) Is this how we welcome businesspeople and the money and business they bring to our local economy? Is this what Montgomery has come to? Do the thieves think they can fleece businesspeople and they will keep coming to this town?
The Montgomery Advertiser posts Crime Statistics right on their web site at http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=crimereports. Until now I'd never took a moment to read the reports. If you haven't, take a couple minutes and absorb what you read. By my count, on June 22, 2006, in our fine city, there were:
13 Vehicle Burglaries
8 Burglaries
4 Vehicle Thefts
3 Thefts
1 Robbery
1 Domestic Violence Assault
The estimated value of goods stolen on this one day total $61,801 with an additional $2,700 worth of damage to personal property (vehicles, homes) in the commission of these crimes. These are just the reported ones, for one day. Assume those numbers are a representative sample and multiply out those numbers over the course of a week (~$451,507), a month (~$2,000,000), or a year (~$23,558,990) as it pleases you. Not a pretty picture. Is it any wonder people are fleeing East and North out of town?
What are you doing to protect yourself? What can citizens do to reduce crime in Montgomery? Shall we all obtain personal firearms and learn to use them properly as the Mayor has publically suggested? What responsibility should the police be takng to reduce the crime in Montgomery?
I won't be recommending hotels on Carmichael Road for out-of-town guests and co-workers any more. I wouldn't have them risk their lives. I'd start recommending the hotels around East Chase, but it is only a matter of time until the crime migrates there too.
Anyone have a recommendation for a gun shop?
Dismal in Montgomery,
--speedeep
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