It’s like a teeter-totter, but it’s your stuff vs. the economy
If you’ve read the paper or watched the news lately, you’ve probably heard about various crime waves sweeping the area. Natomas is getting robbed blind. In Roseville, thieves don’t even stop when on camera. One of the units in my midtown complex was robbed recently as well - so that does great things for my peace of mind. But it isn’t the mayor’s fault. Or the police department’s. It’s the economy, stupid:
A particularly sensitive economic indicator for tracking crime rates is consumer confidence, which is measured in monthly surveys that ask people about their financial circumstances and the general state of the economy. Consumer confidence has plummeted in recent months amid concerns about the mortgage crisis, rising prices and stagnant incomes.
My own research has shown that crime rates tend to rise when consumers become pessimistic. Why? Economic theory predicts that people weigh the costs and benefits of law-abiding versus criminal behavior. Like it or not, a failing economy increases the temptations of crime.
This is from an LA Times article (linked above), but the lessons may be useful here in Sacramento as well - especially in the mayoral race context. Beefing up patrols and shoveling money into SacPD’s budget isn’t a bad idea, per se, when crime is on the rise. Unless, of course, those increases come at the cost of other city programs for health, educations, and other critical services. Consumer confidence won’t rise because more cops are visible. It may rise if Sacramentans are confident that even through the tough times, we can rely on basic services and our collective survival.
Related posts:
As a natomas resident, I urge my fellow natomans to prepare themselves with photos of their personal property so if there is a unfortunate occurance like robbery or a flood or fire that they will be reimbursed by their insurance company like it should be. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, only 1 out of 150 U.S. Homes that experience a fire is able to prove to their insurance company what they owned so they are properly paid back. Take photographs of your personal property and if you don’t know how or have the time, hire cd proof, they will do it for you. Check out their website at cdproof.com. Don’t wait till it’s too late.
"InCase" - you get one warning on sly self-promotion comments. We don’t censor the editorial content of comments, but we don’t let spammers in. You’re promoting your own company here, despite the pronoun game ("hire [them], they will do it for you"). You are the "they" in your own comment.
It is important to keep an accurate record of your belongings, but anyone with a digital camera and a free afternoon can and should do this on their own.
So next time, if you want to advertise here, either buy space, or come up with a better, more newsworthy hook, and submit yourself as the suggested topic of a post. We probably won’t pick up on it if it’s this sort of basic service, but that’s the way we like things done.
To leave it ultra clear - we really, really don’t like spam comments.
Thanks.