County violent crime, thefts up in 2006, says report
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

According to statistics gathered by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, gangrelated assaults and thefts in Ventura County increased by 6 percent from 2005 to 2006.

The sheriff's department patrols unincorporated county areas and contracts with the cities of Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Fillmore, Ojai and Camarillo.

Last year, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors voted to provide additional funds to fight gang violence. With those funds, the county gang task force could add five members who would probably be assigned to the West County region where gang activity is currently more of a problem, said Ventura County Supervisor Peter Foy. He represents the 2nd District, encompassing Simi Valley, Moorpark and surrounding areas on the county panel.

"But we need more people because we're starting to see increased gang activities on the east side, too," he said.

In order to be most efficient, the supervisor said, the county must coordinate efforts with cities that have their own police departments.

Los Angeles County authorities have been battling gangs more aggressively in recent years, and consequently some of those gangs are now moving to Ventura County, Foy said.

"We call it displacement," said Sr. Dep. Ed Tumbleson of the Moorpark Police Department.

When authorities focus on a particular problem, the culprits move somewhere else and they become someone else's problem, he said.

"We have to stay vigilant when we hear an agency is cracking down on a particular issue, because there's always a chance we'll get some of it," the deputy said.

Violent crimes in areas covered by the department increased by 8 percent but homicides, rapes and robberies decreased.

Statistics also showed that property crimes increased by 5 percent. Many of these crimes are preventable, said Sheriff Bob Brooks. He reminds residents to lock their car doors and keep valuables out of sight. Electronic goods such as cellphones and laptop computers are also major targets for thieves, the sheriff said.