CITY PUSHES FOR 30% CUT IN CRIMES.

Byline: GIDEON RUBIN Special to the Daily News

LANCASTER -- Lawmakers took a tremendous political risk in publicly stating their goal of reducing Lancaster's crime rate by 30 percent within five years.

But given the growing perception that parts of the city are being overrun by gangs and drugs and rising fears about public safety amid a surge in violent crime, it is a risk that its leaders simply can't afford not to take, Councilman Andy Visokey said.

Assistant City Manager Mark Bozigian said the plan, which was made public in November, is comprehensive, noting that it calls for a beefed-up law enforcement presence that will target gangs and other specific types of criminals and an effort to engage the citizenry.

Visokey said the five-member council unanimously supported all aspects of the plan and has resoundingly supported all law enforcement initiatives in the seven years he's been on the council. He acknowledged a sense of urgency fueled the council members' willingness to gamble their political lives.

``Any time you're experiencing the amount of crime we are, there is an urgent response that is required,'' Visokey said.

``Sure it's a risk, but if you don't set aggressive goals, then you don't belong in that seat. People are running around scared, and we need to do something about it.''

Bozigian said some aspects of the plan are already in motion, noting that the city approved a 43 percent increase in its annual public safety budget, adding $19.3 million dollars to fund its law enforcement efforts that went into affect at the start of the 2005-06 fiscal year.

He said 22 sheriff's deputies have been added to the force since 2004, and the assignment of 15 community service officers to take crime reports has taken deputies away from their desks and onto the streets.

The community service officers will take approximately 10,000 reports annually, Bozigian said, noting that since the program began in September, the Sheriff Department's response time has increased by 12 percent.

Other key components of the plan include the expansion of a Target Oriented Police team from four to nine law enforcement officers.

The TOP program will focus on the ``Part 1'' crimes, such as murder, rape, robbery and assault, which are the basis of most statistical analysis, including Lancaster's 30 percent crime-reduction goal.

Bozigian said a Lancaster Community Appreciation team will seek out criminals where they live -- which statistics show is predominantly in rental apartment complexes. He said a recent survey showed that more than 60 percent of Lancaster's crime emanates from the roughly 34 percent of the city's population that lives in rental units.

Bozigian said engaging the community is a key element of the plan, too. He said the city has hired a full-time crime prevention officer responsible for coordinating Neighborhood Watch and Business Watch groups.

A $1,000 reward for tips leading to the arrests and convictions of robbers and burglars within the city limit is designed to get the public more engaged in crime-fighting efforts.

Bozigian said the city will adjust its plan as reports from a ``best practices'' study commissioned by the city late last year to evaluate law enforcement strategies trickle in.

Bozigian acknowledged that achieving the city's ambitious crime-reduction goal will be a formidable challenge, and that there are limits to what government can do without public support.

``An engaged citizenry is the most important part of turning this problem around,'' he said.

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