Statistics can be boring... Especially in television. But numbers we came across in Thursday's report on the "latest" Cape shooting is alarming. In 2005 there were 135 aggravated assaults in Cape Coral... i.e. a fight involving a weapon. This year, just 7 months in, that number is at 138.
Crime appears to be catching up with Cape Coral growth. Could we see a 50%, 60%, maybe even a 70% increase in crime this year?
At the same time, the Cape is going through transition at its highest ranks. The departure of Dan Alexander couldn't come at a more pivotal time.
What will the new chief do to get crime levels back in check? From all accounts heard so far, both candidates for the job want to run the department just like Alexander did. That doesn't sit well with many I've spoken within the agency.
On numerous occasions past and present officers have said the agency has gone soft. "They used to hire 'cops cops.'" "They ran a tight ship and didn't put up with any bull." "They" say it all changed when Alexander took over. Now that ______ is taking over... will it change again?
Whoever takes over will have a big task ahead of them. The Cape is not the same place they grew up in. Slum apartments are growing. Seniors who moved here for peaceful times are moving. Skyrocketing real estate prices have dramatically increased the gap between the haves and the have nots.
Maybe it's time to shift more of those impact fees into public safety.
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