Concerns about county law enforcement

Posted 9/06/11 (Tue)

Velva Police Commissioner JD Larson attended the McHenry County Commission meeting this past Tuesday morning to share the Velva City Commission’s concerns about local law enforcement funding.
At the Sept. 6th meeting, Larson expressed his – and the city’s _ worries about a number of policing issues, including an inadequate number of officers, low pay and long hours.
“When I become aware of a problem, I try to do something about it,” he said. “I believe if you’re not doing that, you’re part of the problem.”
Larson quickly launched into the basis for concern, citing the recent stabbing in Minot and other events.
“There used to be just six murders in the whole state a few years ago,” he said. “Things are changing in a hurry.”
Larson went on to make a presentation concerning the rapidly rising crime rate in the area, especially neighboring Minot and Ward County. Over the last year, he pointed to a 400 percent increase in auto theft and a 108 percent increase in auto burglary, and noted emergency committals are up 220 percent.
Here in McHenry County, the numbers are just as alarming.