BRIGHAM CITY -- A 100 percent increase in reported serious crimes since 1995 has left Brigham City with a crime rate similar to that of Ogden's.
The city's mayor says residents can no longer afford to think of their community as a sleepy little hamlet north of the crime problem.According to the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification, Brigham City last year reported 1,496 "part 1" crimes, which include homicides, rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries, thefts, arson and auto thefts.
That's approximately 90 such crimes per 1,000 people in the city, with a population of 16,600. That's similar to what Ogden reports each year.
By comparison, Logan, with a population of 44,000, had a part 1 crime rate about a third of Brigham City's.
Brigham City's crime rate was driven up by property crimes like thefts and burglaries. The city reported no homicides and fewer violent crimes than Ogden.
"Vehicle burglaries are driving us nuts," said Brigham City Police Lt. Jess Palmer. "We'll have a string of 30 vehicle burglaries, catch a suspect, and then get another 30."
Proximity to I-15 and growth are cited by police as reasons for the city's crime problems.
Police Sgt. Gary Gerbich said an increase in illicit drug and gang activity also are having an impact on the statistics. Drug arrests are not considered a part 1 crime, but Gerbich said drug use can cause people to commit other crimes.
"We also believe most of our auto thefts are from gang members," he said.
Gerbich also credits gang activity for an increase in aggravated assaults.