Reader comments
Utah can still boast low crime

Nice to know they won't kill me when they steal all my stuff. ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE! HELLO!

Conviction rates and arrest rates are very different. To a crime victim the fact that the crime happened and it happened to them is all that matters.
What happened in 2006 and the years before is interesting and can be helpful in trend analysis, but the view in the rearview mirror is just that, a view of what is behind us. True crime rates are police and security logs of crimes reported. Jail intake is a good indicator of bad guys caught. As you look at those numbers Utah still does well nationally, but the trend is up. 2007 and the first six months in 2008 is up in violent crimes committed. It's sad to see this trend, but it is much more reflective of what is happening today and how many victims are really out there. We owe it to ourselves and our community to not be lulled into a false sense of security. Be involved in your community; know your neighbors, report suspicious behavior and situations. We can all make a difference by taking a minute to take care of each other and holding criminals accountable for thier actions and the victims they create.