Crime in Largo dips in 2005

LARGO – Police Chief Lester Aradi continues to attribute aggressive traffic enforcement with reducing the amount of crime in the city during 2005. At the same time, he noted a recent survey indicates residents want even more aggressive traffic patrols in the city.The state’s Department of Law Enforcement statistics, released last week, show there were 2,905 serious crimes reported during 2005 in Largo compared to 3,105 in 2004.Sex crimes dropped the most, down 28.2 percent, followed by nearly 25 percent drops in aggravated assaults and burglaries, according to the FDLE report.The only increase was marked in murders. During 2005 there were four reported compared to two the year before.The FDLE shows there were 3.8 crimes reported for every 100 residents of Largo, which reflects a downward trend since 4.3 per 100 in 2002.In February, Aradi predicted the reduced crime report, noting there would be an increase in the number of aggravated assaults with firearms. He said last week that the number of murders now, compared to 25 years ago, may be less because of improved emergency medicine so more assault victims survive.“Couple that with record numbers of our most violent criminals locked away behind bars today than ever before,” the chief reported to the city July 11. Also, he reported “advances in criminalistics such as AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) and DNA, and more cops on the streets.”Aradi is concerned with Internet pornography and videogame violence which he contends are responsible for rising crimes by, and against, children.A recent survey of city residents, he added, has shown most want more traffic law enforcement and a greater presence of patrol cars in their neighborhoods. He said he was surprised at this, in light of a two-fold increase in the number of traffic citations issued during the past two years in the city.“Seminole Boulevard from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. is a race track south of post office,” wrote one resident.“Please do something about the cars with extremely loud stereos,” wrote another. “One goes down Eighth Avenue every night and our windows shake when the car stops for the light.”“I rarely see the Largo Police drive down our street,” said a respondent. “It would be comforting if we saw them at least once a day at varying times.”Aradi said that, of 10,000 questionnaires mailed, 1,329 were completed and returned. Of those returned, 93 percent said they felt Largo rated the police department good or excellent in effectiveness.“Overall, we have a great police force and I, for one, am proud of all of you,” said a respondent. “Thank you.”But, said another, “I am just amazed at the lack of courtesy of some Largo city employees, including police officers. I really feel that Largo police officers don’t have people as their priority.”According to the chief’s analysis, more people feel safe in their neighborhoods than in a similar survey taken in 2001 and 2004. In 2001, he said, 9.28 percent of respondents felt unsafe in their neighborhoods; 3 percent in 2004 and down to 2 percent this year.“I wish the police would drive through mobile home parks like they used to,” said a respondent.“In comparison with other cities I have lived in prior to Largo,” said another, “Largo is by far the safest I have lived in. I feel secure here and I plan to raise my children here.”