Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Rising Crime in Santa Clarita Will Be Discussed at Meeting

SANTA CLARITA —  With recent statistics showing that crime is on the rise in the relatively placid Santa Clarita Valley, a citizens group has called a meeting to hear from law enforcement officials.

The local chapter of Mad About Rising Crime, a group founded in the west San Fernando Valley by a couple whose son was murdered in 1990--has titled the meeting, “Increasing Crime in Santa Clarita . . . Is It Real?” and has scheduled it for the evening of June 7.

Gang activity in the Santa Clarita Valley will be discussed by Deputy John Hudson of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, and community-based policing tactics will be discussed by Rick Gibby, a senior lead officer for the Los Angeles Police Department.

A presentation on juveniles and the law will be made by Michael Sanchez, a juvenile hall youth counselor. The area has been promoted as one of the safest places to live in the nation, but some recent statistics show that youth arrests here increased by nearly 50% in 1993 and the number of serious gang felonies tripled. Local officials attribute some of that increase to better record-keeping.

According to statistics released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation at the end of the year, Santa Clarita had the fifth fewest crimes among cities with 100,000 or more residents. But a study in June’s Money magazine that divides the FBI figures by each city’s population, establishing a crime rate, listed Santa Clarita 46th out of 187 cities.

More information about the meeting, which will be held at 7 p.m. at the Valencia Town Center, is available by calling (805) 253-3330.