There are a number of benefits that come with living in any city, including increased access to restaurants, transportation, and entertainment options, which residents of a more rural or isolated community would not experience. With such a high number of people concentrated into a city’s boundaries (population density), one challenge that its residents may experience is a higher rate of criminal activity than might be experienced in smaller areas with low population density. The City of Pearland and MUD 26 have installed and continued to work on improving a security system that has proven to be very effective in combating this issue, specifically for Shadow Creek Ranch.
With the help of MUD 26, legal authorities, and the City of Pearland police department, the community of Shadow Creek Ranch experienced a huge boost in safety with the design and installation of a new security camera system. Aside from the fact that this system has helped law enforcement officers to catch murder and theft suspects, it has had a direct impact on a significant reduction in crime within the past year alone.
Overall, in the year 2017, residents of MUD 26 saw a decrease of 4 percent in Part 1 crimes that were committed. Part 1 criminal offenses include criminal homicide, aggravated assault, sexual assault, arson, burglary, and motor vehicle theft.
Statistics below provide an overview of the progress that has been made in increasing safety within the community. These numbers reflect the difference between the years 2016 and 2017.
● Aggravated assaults decreased by 25 percent
● Robberies decreased by 56 percent
● Theft decreased by 17 percent
● Burglary of vehicles decreased by 5 percent
● Burglaries (business and residential) decreased by 33 percent
Another contributor to the decreased criminal activity is the additional security patrols that are hired during times of the year when the City of Pearland sees higher than normal traffic, such as the holidays.
The aforementioned security cameras have also aided in the apprehension and prosectution of criminals. However, getting the idea implemented required some creativity as legally the MUD could not have the security cameras installed. By offering to work with nearby community HOAs and fund work that they needed to have performed (work the MUD is able to legaly assist with), these neighboring HOAs were allowed to use their newly available funds to assist the MUD with installing security cameras in the Shadow Creek Ranch community.
Not only is it important to the MUD to enhance the community through recreational facilities or basic services, but it also aims to ensure that all residents of Shadow Creek Ranch MUD 26 have peace of mind about residing in a community that is quickly realizing its potential. The MUD will continue, throughout 2018, to work with local law enforcement officers to use the technological benefits of this new security camera system to find new ways to benefit the community.