Oakdale's Property Crime Rate Down in 2010, Says FBI Report

Property crime in Oakdale dropped significantly in 2010 but violent crime rose slightly, according to recently released statistics from the FBI's Uniform Crime Report.

The Oakdale Police Department reported 1,121 property crimes last year, which translates to a property crime rate of 107.9 crimes per 1,000 housing units. The rate is down from 120.6 in 2009 and a five-year high of 120.7 in 2007.

Violent crime, on the other hand, rose slightly in Oakdale in 2010.

The Oakdale Police Department reported 43 violent crimes in 2010—a rate of 1.6 crimes per 1,000 residents—after reporting 34 (1.3) the previous year. Despite its slight increase, Oakdale’s 2010 violent crime rate was still far below the five-year high of 2.4 (65 crimes) in 2007.

The Persistence of Property Crimes

The fluctuating rate of property crimes in Oakdale is an ongoing challenge for police department, said public information officer Michelle Stark.

“Property crimes, such as vehicle break-ins, are the crimes most frequently reported to the police department, and as such, the most frequently addressed,” Stark said. “Most of our resources devoted to public education are spent reminding residents to reduce crime opportunities by not leaving vehicles unlocked with valuables inside.”

The Oakdale Police Department is “fanatical” about reporting every offense accurately and never downgrading or disregarding offenses, said Police Chief Bill Sullivan.

Reporting practices vary among police departments, Sullivan said, and this variation can impact the raw statistical data.  

Stark explains: “Pranks that may be reported by one agency as malicious mischief or lost property are likely coded as criminal offenses in our department. (For example) missing campaign signs from a front yard, (the Oakdale Police Department) codes it as theft; Toilet papering a property may be coded as littering or criminal damage to property and egging (or paint balling) a property may be coded as criminal damage to property.”

Oakdale Police Department crime analyst Karen Haines said she believes crime rates, both violent and property, are most likely attributed to the makeup of a specific community.

Haines offers an example: “In 2010 a total of 293 shoplifting incidents were reported in Oakdale with approximately 66 percent of these thefts occurring at . Cities without a Mills Fleet Farm store may not generate the same volume of shoplifting reports as Oakdale, possibly resulting in lower reports of thefts. 

Success Starts In The Community

The Uniform Crime Report statistics inform decisions about how to use resources but, Sullivan said, the smoothest path to successfully policing the city, thwarting crime and prosecuting offenders is getting the community involved.

“One of our measures of success is that people actually report the crimes in the first place … if we have established relationships throughout the community, it is far more likely that a greater volume of offenses will actually be reported to the police department,” Sullivan said.

Stark highlights community outreach programs including the department's Neighborhood Watch, Crime Free Multi-Housing and Crime Free Lifestyle as examples of ways to engage Oakdale residents.

“Observant citizens” are the department's first line of defense Stark said.

“A solid partnership with the community, along with the collaborative efforts of local law enforcement agencies, provide the framework for successful outcomes,” she said.

CRIMES IN WOODBURY, OAKDALE, STILLWATER & MENDOTA HEIGHTS

City

Year    

Population 

Violent crimes

Violent crime rate (per 1,000 residents)

Property crimes

Housing units (per 2000 Census)

Property crime rate (per 1,000 housing units)

Woodbury

2006

52,830

20

0.38

1,142

17,541

65.1

2007

55,376

29

0.52

1,417

80.1

2008

56,619

39

0.69

1,272

72.5

2009

57,259

29

0.51

1,397

79.6

2010

58,503

28

0.48

1,307

74.5

Oakdale

2006

27,572

53

1.9

1,148

10,394

110.4

2007

27,306

65

2.4

1,255

120.7

2008

27,108

48

1.8

1,085

104.4

2009

27,068

34

1.3

1,253

120.6

2010

27,358

43

1.6

1,121

107.9

Stillwater

2006

17,494

9

0.51

455

5,926

77.1

2007

18,116

18

0.99

414

69.9

2008

18,053

10

0.55

442

74.6

2009

18,168

12

0.66

447

75.4

2010

18,208

12

0.66

603

101.8

Mendota Heights

2006

11,127

5

0.45

135

4,252

31.7

2007

11,318

9

0.80

315

74.1

2008

11,616

8

0.69

301

70.1

2009

11,610

7

0.60

262

61.6

2010

11,697

11

0.94

221

52.1

Sources: FBI, Uniform Crime Reports, prepared by the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data