The Observation Deck

According to the Ohio Revised Code, "No person shall engage in sexual conduct with another when the offender purposely compels the other person to submit by force or threat of force."

Mark Allan Crnolatas

Of course there have been rapes that haven't been reported.

There always are. Many women who are raped feel ashamed and don't tell anyone else ever.

I have worked with rape survivors, my daughter persons a rape hotline once a week for over 4 years and I have personally been involved with some of the people who run our Rape Crisis Center for over 25 years.

I think the numbers are approximately 1 in 20 rapes are reported. I would also venture to say that some of the domestic violence calls and assault calls also included rape, but the survivors didn't include that information because of shame, internally or externally. Reports aren't always accepted.

I may need to watch a few more Law and Order but would that fall into sexual misconduct or assault maybe? I'm sure that there is a charge that they could be plead down to. Then again if they're not reported then the classifications become academic. When results come in at the extremes of 0 or 100%, it raises an eyebrow for me.

Shawn - I guess it would be up to the person taking the report - but I don't really know.

Your eyebrow is right!

OK, to be specific without being unnecessarily graphic, where does "gross sexual imposition" fit into the statistics noted in the earllier post? Because we know that number isnt 0?
It cant just be a matter of the person taking the report, there are legal standards, I think (I hope)

While I'm certainly encouraged by the data provided in the Jan-Jun '06-'07 crime incident reports, I believe we should wait to see the '05-'06 numbers before we draw any conclusions on recent trends. I'm curious to see what the '05 numbers looked like (even the '04); Ryan's report shows things appear to have not changed significantly in the past year, but I'd like to rule out a 2-3 year increase before we can comfortably say there has been no change in our Lakewood. Thanks for acquiring and posting this document Ryan.

Dee -

The problem is that when it is someone the person knows (who is generally the person doing the deed) the survivor is not believed.

sharon kinsella wrote:Dee -

The problem is that when it is someone the person knows (who is generally the person doing the deed) the survivor is not believed.

That may be, but its not what Im asking.

Say Joe and Jane meet in a bar and Joe drives Jane home. Joe tries to force himself on Jane and she fights him off before actual intercourse occurs.
It not technically "rape" but it is a sexual assault nonetheless. Jane reports it as such and the police respond.

My question is: Where in that chart of crimes that was posted will that show up?

Here is the 2005 to 2006 report. This shows much more of an increase. I guess 2004 to 2005 is up too but I am waiting on that info.

http://movieloanguy.com/downloads/2005-06.pdf

Dee Martinez wrote:Say Joe and Jane meet in a bar and Joe drives Jane home.

Ryan -

Thanks for getting the stats.

No rapes in Lakewood in 2005 - 2006 - ridiculous. Even with few women reporting rape there is no way that number is correct - not saying the department is lying - I'm saying that these women were not believed.

And what are the Other crimes?

I cannot attend the safety meeting - I'm giving a big bash for my two youngest kids college grad - masters and bachelors - on Saturday.

Will someone please question these stats on rape, interpretaion of and breakdown of "Other"?

Please let me know.

Thanks.

Just wanted to add that there was a murder & suicide next door to us last July 30th that doesn't appear to be represented on the stat sheet. Its really hard to have confidence in data that misses something so significant.

I was in the Lakewood Hospital emergency room in March 2006 and had the unfortunate experience of hearing a young girl in the room next to me describe to police how she was raped, after an evening of drinking at the Phantasy night club. Not sure why this never made the stats. It was about 8am on a Sunday and this girl was still very drunk. I believe she was 18 years old, definitely under 21. Maybe the police didn't have enough info or maybe they did not consider her to be credible, but her and her grandmother were definitely reporting it.

At the conclusion of the last City Council meeting, I asked how crime statistics are maintained in Lakewood. I was told that both the Police Department and the Lakewood Municipal Court keep records and reports. I appreciate Councilman Fitzgerald and Mr. Salo responding to my request, and starting to bring bring forth some information. However, it is still a sketchy outline. Today I filed a Public Records request with the City, the Lakewood Municipal Court, and the Police Department for all crime statistics going back to 1995. I want to know who keeps the records, how they are maintained, what is included (or not included), and how they can be reviewed.

I think it is best to get a comprehensive overview of official statistics in order to continue any serious discussion of crime in Lakewood. I would call on Jim or anyone at LO to assist me in getting what might be extensive records online.

Finally, it seems that there is a discussion on this thread and on the 'Last Night's Council Meeting' thread...could we agree to keep it here? I think 'Crime in Lakewood' is pretty specific. Thanks

Dan Shields

Dan-

At this Thursday's Public Safety Committee meeting, we'll be reviewing the Police Department's and the Court's records for the last 10 years.

I agree with you that we must sort out the data asap as we begin this community conversation on crime.