1999 Annual Report

Message from the Commissioner

This is the final Annual Report of the Twentieth Century and the fourth produced during my tenure as Commissioner of the Cambridge Police Department. The objective of this report is to give Cantabridgians a realistic view of their risks of victimization and provide detailed information on criminal activity. Armed with this knowledge, the community and police department can work together to develop effective strategies to ensure the quality of life and reduce crime in the City of Cambridge.

Serious crime continues on a downward spiral in Cambridge. The 1999 Crime Index was the lowest total reported in our City in over 35 years. Although this past year’s decline was a slight two percent, it represents the eighth time in the decade of the 1990s that there were fewer crimes than the previous year. The total crime index has plummeted 53% since 1975 and 38% from 1990.

The ebb and flow of crime is an ongoing, cyclical process. The decade long downturn in Cambridge has been mirroring the national trend of reduced crime rates. We are under no illusions that the programs, strategies, and partnerships formed by the police department alone are responsible for the 1600 fewer serious crimes each year than in the past decade. We are simply pleased to be one of several contributing factors that have driven crime to its lowest point since the Eisenhower presidency. 

As we embark on the new millennium, we will not be complacent. With crime at this historic nadir, it is more important than ever to concentrate of the quality of life issues that will affect the City into the twenty-first century. We anticipate that the following issues, discussed in greater detail in the body of this report, will be at the forefront of our problem solving initiatives: continued community concern about women’s safety and domestic violence; increased traffic and parking related problems, truck restrictions, pedestrian and bicycle safety enforcement; additional narcotic enforcement efforts; and problems with the homeless as predators and victims.

As always, the Department plans to continue and enhance our commitment to making crime information available to the citizens of Cambridge. Our web site provides timely information on current crime problems and other relevant information, while our scheduled community meetings give Cambridge residents a forum to discuss their crime and safety concerns.

The 1999 Annual Crime Report is one of many resources the Cambridge Police Department provides to the citizens of Cambridge. In these pages, you will find detailed, relevant information—not just statistics—on crime issues affecting the city. We believe that we are in the top percentile of police departments in the nation in the quantity and quality of information that we provide to the public on a regular basis, and our Crime Reports have consequently won awards and accolades from international organizations. Behind this report is a firm policy of ensuring that the Cambridge community is a well-informed partner of the Cambridge Police Department and its efforts.

Back to the 1999 Annual Report Index

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Last Updated: 03/10/00 11:57:29