Increase in crime in Springfield, IL (foreclosures, home, unemployed)

[MoonBeam33]

Has anyone else noticed the (seemingly) increase in crime? I live near a very busy street, and I stay up late, and I hear sirens all night long. The murder that occurred recently happened just a few blocks from my home. I've never felt unsafe in Springifeld - have lived here most of my life - but it just seems like things have been going downhill in the last five years or so.

What do you think?

[linicx]

I believe that any time there is a deep recession like the one we are in now crime will increase as there are more homeless and displaced persons, more unemployed, more soup kitchens, more jobs lost and more home foreclosures. This or course does not consider city, county, township or a state that is financially strapped. I think you will hear a lot more sirens than you have in the past before its over. I notice I hear more in my own town, now that you mention it. ..

[kmwheel]

I live right outside of Springfield and I've noticed more sirens lately, too. I'm not sure the statistics are showing an increase in crime, but I've noticed what appears to be a lot more desperate people asking for money, etc. There appear to be many more news reports of robberies in Springfield lately. I am going to go under the assumption of linicx, too...that this is happening all over the place and not just Springfield.

This might be off-topic, but I work in Springfield and my company recently posted an entry-level college grad job opportunity. I spent an entire day writing "no thank you" letters to over 50 respondents. A lot of the resumes were from candidates with bachelors or masters degrees. I was almost in tears by the time I was done. My boss said that she wished she could give them all a job. If things are that harsh for college grads, I can't even imagine what it's like for the average high school grad or dropout.

[Granny Sue]

Are the politicians back in their offices?