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In This Issue...
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911
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Alarming Increase in Capitola Sexual Assaults for 2006
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Alarming Increase in Capitola Sexual Assaults for 2006
By Capitola Police Chief Rick Ehle
To date, reported sexual assaults in Capitola for 2006 have increased by over 60 percent, going from 11 reported offenses in 2005 to 18 for 2006. Rapes have increased for the same time period from three in 2005 to eight for 2006, or a 166 percent increase. In analyzing the reported rape cases, it is apparent that moderate to excessive alcohol consumption by victims has been involved in four of the five alleged rape cases, or a rate of 80 percent.
This year’s increase is similar to that experienced in 2002, when a significant percentage of reported sexual assaults involved some form of binge drinking activity.
This year, minors under the age of 21 who had been drinking alcohol were involved in two of the five alleged rape cases. Additionally, four of the five reported rape cases involved substantial consumption of alcohol by the victims. All of the alleged rape victims were under the age of 30.
In 2006, the department has also experienced an increase of 25 percent in reported molestations and lewd conduct, with at least seven cases involving children age five to 15 years of age. Arrests have been made in five of the seven cases, with at least one case still under investigation.
Local law enforcement, as well as the District Attorney’s Office often experience a difficult time in both investigating reported crimes and in filing criminal charges in those cases involving heavy consumption of alcohol by the involved parties. Heavy consumption of alcohol, or binge drinking, often leaves the victim unable to accurately recall what occurred to them and who was involved. Likewise, incidents involving heavy drinking which lead to allegations of sexual assaults make it much more difficult for law enforcement and prosecutors to prove the elements of the offense and establish “state of mind” or the “criminal intent” of the suspect.
Youth Alcohol Initiatives and Programs â€" 2006
In response to these alarming trends, government agencies, community groups and law enforcement throughout the nation have joined forces to address the inherit dangers of alcohol consumption by minors and especially binge drinking.
Locally, the United Way coordinates area-wide initiatives and programs involving local law enforcement agencies, State Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC), Santa Cruz Youth, CURB (Community United to Reduce Binge Drinking), SHOP (Student Health Outreach Program), the County of Santa Cruz Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs, and numerous community groups.
Local agencies have partnered with the State Office of Alcohol Beverage Control, which provides grant funding to help better educate our communities to the dangers of juvenile drinking, driving while under the influence, sales to minors, and binge drinking.
For over the past five years, the Capitola Police Department has worked with the United Way and the State Department of Alcohol Beverage Control in promoting the Responsible Alcohol Merchants Awards (RAMA) program, CURB, and enforcement programs such as the “Decoy Program,” “Shoulder Tap Program” and “Village Enforcement Initiative.”
The department continues to apply for and receive various state grants in an effort to enhance public education and conduct enforcement operations relative to juvenile alcohol violations. Please encourage everyone you know to drink responsibly and especially discourage underage drinking.
For further information concerning any of the programs coordinated by the United Way of Santa Cruz County, I encourage you to contact Shabreh Kalantari at the United Way, PO Box 1458, Capitola, CA 95010, or by telephone at 831-465-2207.
As always I can be reached by telephone at 831-475-4242, ext. 213, or by e-mail at: rehle@co.capitola.ca.us.
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