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Gilbert touts its low crime rate
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Gilbert’s low crime rate — the lowest in the East Valley — has become a selling point in the town’s quest to lure more companies here.
The low crime rate is one of the benefits the town touts to corporate prospects as Gilbert markets the image of a safe community that maintains the character it was founded on, said Dan Henderson, the town’s business development manager.
“We like having a low crime rate,” he said. “We think that complements the town values.”
In 2006, Gilbert reported 1.4 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 27.3 property crimes per 1,000 people, according to FBI statistics.
The only community close to Gilbert’s low crime rate in 2006 was Scottsdale with 2.2 violent crimes and 35.43 property crimes per 1,000 people. Tempe was on the high end with 6.5 violent crimes and 75.3 property crimes per 1,000 residents. The FBI cautions against comparing municipalities since each jurisdiction could have a different system for reporting its data.
But Gilbert police have said opening of the Loop 202 Santan Freeway and the businesses that follow raise concerns about more crime coming to town.
Gilbert police Chief Tim Dorn said the department is planning for a significant increase in commercial and retail development, which will place growing demand on police service levels.
That development includes SanTan Village, an open-air shopping mall which recently opened off Williams Field Road and the freeway. More business growth is also expected in northwest Gilbert, along the freeway, and along the north section of Power Road, Henderson said.
Town Councilwoman Joan Krueger said police and Town Council members will continue to monitor development and any increases in crime to determine if more police manpower is needed.
“There’s never been anything more important than having a safe community,” Gilbert Mayor Steve Berman said.
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