If it’s any consolation to Oak Parkers, for whom crime has increased, consider this from Rasmussen, the pollster:

Nearly one-third of Americans (32%) say crime has increased in their communities in the past year, and 72% of those impacted say it is Very Likely that increase is related to the poor economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 54% say crime in their communities has stayed the same, and eight percent (8%) say it has decreased. Six percent (6%) are not sure.

The Oak Park story is scary enough:

There were 166 reported robberies last year in Oak Park, compared with 114 in 2007. Robbery arrests were also up. There were 48 last year, compared with the 36 the previous year.

On the other hand, “it’s safer today than at any point in the last four decades,” says village president David Pope.  Last year’s (apparently overall) increase was only four per cent, and “crime totals” were the fourth-lowest in 27 years.  Crime was “less than half of what it was in 1991.”

Hmmm.