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Vienna has eye on crime
In the past few months, the Town of Vienna has experienced a series of serious crimes, from the apparent murder of a young woman just outside the town borders last week to a string of recent sexual assault cases, and the attempted abduction of a man at knifepoint last month.
"We've had a lot of serious events in recent weeks. ... These kinds of events would stand out for us at any time," said Vienna Police Chief Robert Carlisle. However, despite the recent string of incidents, Carlisle says that for the year so far, crime in Vienna has not increased significantly over the last few years.
So far, Vienna has experienced two aggravated assaults in 2008. In all of 2007 there were five, in 2006 11. Chief Carlisle is quick to point out that the drop-off doesn't mean much more than an uptick would.
"When you have such small numbers of crimes, they can vary pretty wildly from year to year," Carlisle said.
The numbers are just as close in other categories of crime.
"So far this year we've had 17 burglaries, last year we had 26," Carlisle said.
One reason it may feel like a heavier year for crime in Vienna is that residents are getting more information from the police than they ever have before. "We are doing a much more robust program in pushing info out to the community," Carlisle said.
Last fall, Officer William Murray, a 20-year veteran of Vienna police work, became the force's first public information officer.
"Before, that information wasn't getting out, it wasn't as accessible," Murray said.
Murray's work means that violent crimes in Vienna are now ending up on the evening news and the local papers, which might contribute to some residents felling more unsafe. However, Carlisle says that's not the point.
"Knowledge is power. ... I think we can prevent more crimes by letting people know about what's happening," Carlisle said.
Even with that flood of knowledge, many Vienna citizens don't feel that their town has a crime problem.
Greg Moessian, whose Alfa Shoe Repair store has operated in Vienna for 20 years, says that crime is not a big worry for him.
"I feel very safe here," said Moessian. "I hear about some crimes, but not very often."
"Having traveled and seen what real crime is, I think we live in a very safe area," resident Deborah Pratt said.
"We're trying to put things out there as much as we can, if we have a thousand eyes in Vienna on crime maybe we can get ahead of it," Carlisle said.
All of the following is posted on the ToV website; which apparently Mr. Tayloe is lacking the ability to access.
VPD Media Information Releases:
Multiple Arrests for Unlawful Sexual Conduct Involving Minors
Sexual Assault of 13 Year Old Girl
Man Abducted and Threatened With a Knife
Two Subjects Assaulted at Meadow Lane Park
Juvenile Female Assaulted
Man Repeatedly Assaults Woman and Takes Her Vehicle
Man Arrested for Exposing Himself to Teenagers
Malicious Wounding Occurs at Cedar Lane Shopping Center
Cedar Lane Area Special Patrol
Gang Investigation Yields Arrest
Officer Witnessed Assault
Three Charged With Attempt To Distribute Marijuana
Robbery On Cedar Lane
Stabbing On Cedar Lane
Posted by Gbaxter
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