Crime rate drops 9 percent

Crime in Boundary County fell 9.4 percent from 2006 to 2007, according to the recent Uniform Crime Report released by Idaho State Police.

While theft and drunken driving arrests led the way, the county had no murders, kidnappings or incidents of prostitution or pornography and one forcible rape.

Within the county, there were reports of 69 thefts, 64 drunken driving arrests, 54 simple assaults, 53 drug-related matters, 47 burglaries and 36 cases of vandalism.

Within the city of Bonners Ferry, the crime rate fell 10.2 percent, with a total of 184 offenses reported in 2007. The offenses resulted in 109 adult and 31 juvenile arrests.

“I’m very happy, not only because we’re getting less crime, but because we’re doing the right thing,” said deputy police chief Joel Minor.

Minor attributes the drop in crime to a proactive police department and having good relationships with businesses and the community as a whole.

“Whether it’s the school system or citizen contacts, everyone works together really well,” Minor said.

The number one crime in Bonners Ferry was drunken driving, with 39 arrests. There were 33 incidents of theft, resulting in 28 arrests. Thirteen of those 28 were juveniles.

Reports of drug use followed with 32 incidents, according to the report. All were cleared and 39 arrests were made within the city. Twelve of those 39 were juveniles.

Theft and drugs go hand in hand.

“It takes money to buy drugs and what most people are using are heavy duty. They’re not working because they’re strung out and they’re stealing.”

He believes methamphetamine was the most common drug, but noted illegal prescription drug use is on the rise.

“Honestly, I would be hard-pressed right now . . . that could be the number one (drug). There’s more and more cases,” Minor said.

Boundary County Sheriff’s Office received reports for 165 offenses in 2007, a drop of 8.3 percent, according to the report. Seventy-five of the cases were cleared, resulting

in 45 adults and two juvenile arrests.

Deputy sheriff Rich Stephens believes the drop in crime could be for a number of reasons.

“There may be a certain group or persons moving onto something else,” Stephens said. “In a county of this size, it doesn’t take much to throw off the percentage. Kids might knock of mailboxes, and you can have a large number of crimes.”

Hearing that theft was one of the leading offenses didn’t surprise Stephens.

“Theft covers a real wide range of things, anything from as simple as a gas drive-off to a shop lifting to more traditional like a stolen lawnmower, identify theft and credit card fraud.”

When it came to drug arrests, the most common offenses were for marijuana and prescription pills.

Overall, Stephens is pleased with the lower numbers.

“That’s definitely good news for law enforcement, and for people who see that number, it has to reassure them.”

At a glance

Criminal offenses in Boundary County for 2007

Thefts — 69

Drunken driving arrests — 64

Simple assault — 54

Drugs — 53

Burglaries — 47

Vandalism — 36

Drug paraphernalia — 34

Sidebar

Idaho had 252 assaults on police officers in 2007, including two within the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office.

Assaults statewide jumped 12 percent from 2006. One officer was killed in the line of duty in 2007.

Data collected on officers killed or assaulted includes aggravated assaults that could’ve caused serious injury or death.