Crime And Suburban Development

Beautiful new expensive homes line the streets of Elk Grove; a suburban community outside of the City of Sacramento, California. With the incorporation of Elk Grove as a City, crime has become a focal point for homeowners, developers, community activists and local government official. The question on everyone’s minds is, "why, over the past five years, has crime so dramatically increased in this portion of Sacramento County." Despite the attempt by homebuyers to escape the problems of urban existence many find their new lives in their lavish developments, once the envy of many outsiders, just as challenging. "You hear that's the reason to move out of the city -- to get away from all that stuff," said Oscar Salinas, whose son survived the Laguna Park shooting. "But out here, it's the same. The houses are just nicer."

Unfortunately, everyone you speak to has a theory as to the reasons. However, there is no real tangible answer to the dilemma. Many point to unmanaged growth, lack of services, the political climate or the pervasive social phenomena of youth’s latch-key existence. Whatever the reason, the importance of determining the dynamics of this changing community needs to be addressed immediately. To ignore the problem or minimize the importance of the crime statistics insures other communities will soon be in the same boat.