LOW CRIME RATE IN CAPE IS CERTAINLY NO ACCIDENT

A city's quality of life can be a subjective determination. After all, "a nice place to live" may not mean the same thing to everyone. But the livability of any city also depends on a number of tangible factors as well: good schools, progressive government, and strong economic base, to name a few. Crime also figures into this equation of quality.

The 1990 crime report issued by the Cape Girardeau police confirms the fact that the city remains a relatively safe place to live. That doesn't mean we live in a city without crime. With 34,000 people, we're bound to have our share of burglaries, robberies, and the like. But our crime rate has remained relatively stable and we can feel secure in a crime comparison with Paducah and Joplin. Out of seven category comparisons, Cape came in last in four offenses, including robberies, aggravated assault, burglary and motor vehicle thefts.

Granted, our murder rate per 10,000 residents led Paducah and Joplin. But the city's three murders last year certainly don't constitute an epidemic. During 1988 and 1989, no murders were reported in Cape. Three murders occurred in 1987.

With the exception of larcenies and murder, Cape also ranked lower than the state and national crime averages. Police noted that 43 percent of the larcenies in Cape dealt with thefts of $50 or less. Only 14 percent of the larcenies exceeded $401.

The major crimes - such as murder and rape - still constitute big news in our town. And that's because they're not everyday occurrences, as in many metropolitan areas.

Cape's favorable crime rate can be credited to several factors. At the top of the list is a top-notch police department. They get the job done with little fanfare. Our officers deserve considerable credit for making our city safe.

Cape's residents also play an important role in our low crime rate. Neighborhood and business watch programs continue to flourish. A caring community attitude also helps chase away crime.

Our court system also figures into the equation. Criminals know if they break the law in Cape, they'll have to pay for it. All these factors combine to take a bite out of crime in Cape Girardeau.