Crime is down in Manteca by most standards.
Residential burglaries reached 323 in 2008. There were only 57 in 2021
Vehicle thefts peaked at 798 in 2005. The were 221 in 2021.
During that time period Manteca’s population shot up almost 30 percent.
But Mayor Ben Cantu earlier this month noted that many people he has talked with during his re-election campaign feel less safe.
The mayor said they worry about getting into a traffic accident caused by driving that over the years Cantu has characterized as a “wild west” feel prevailing on the city’s streets.
Data kept by the Manteca Police Department underscores the public’s anxiety.
Between 2010 and 2021, Manteca’s:
*population increased 29.6 percent to 89,000.
*traffic accidents increased 86 percent going from 637 to 1,187
*tickets issued for moving violations that are a big contributing factor to accidents fell 6 percent, dropping from 2,019 to 1,887.
*dedicated traffic enforcement unit is the same with five officers.
It is why Cantu over the past four years has called for the city to find a way to hire more traffic enforcement officers.
The reason is simple. Studies, experts, and patrol officers all indicate enforcement of moving violations such as speeding, failing to yield, running red lights and rolling through stop have a direct impact on accidents .
The chances of losing your life or that of a loved one to a criminal in Manteca is not nearly as great as simply driving, bicycling or walking around town.
There was one homicide in Manteca in 2021 as opposed to three traffic fatalities on surface streets. That’s a 200 percent greater chance of dying from distracted driving, speeding and running red lights.
It was worse in 2020 when Manteca recorded three homicides and six traffic fatalities.
And when it comes to being injured, there were 112 aggravated assaults in Manteca last year as opposed to 211 accidents where at least one driver/passenger were injured enough to require transportation to a hospital emergency room.
Topping that off, overall accidents were up 23.28 percent in Manteca last year going from 958 in 2020 to 1,181 in 2021. It marked the second time Manteca has had more than 1,000 accidents in a year.
Keep in mind these are accidents were Manteca Police fill out reports and not fender benders.
And while the city doesn’t track financial losses due to traffic accidents, it is not difficult to frame the 3.2 accidents that happened on a daily basis in 2021 to warrant a response from Manteca Police as being more costly to citizens than crime.
Based on data posted by Bankrate for 2019, the property loses alone from a typical collision is $8,275. The average for accidents where there is bodily injury another $18,417 of costs is incurred.
Using the average for property losses alone and not adding for bodily injury the 1,181 accidents in 2021 in Manteca represented a loss of at least $10.3 million.
By comparison there was $4.7 million worth of property stolen in Manteca in 2021 with $2.3 million being recovered. That reflects a net loss of property via crime of $2.4 million.
It means traffic accidents created financial losses at least four times higher than losses from crime in Manteca during 2021.
Proponents of beefing up the traffic division contend it is the most effective way at reducing accidents as the “education/enforcement process” that pulls over and “educates” moving violation offenders by issuing a ticket or “educating” by giving them a warning has an impact on those who slip into bad habits. Clearly not all drivers can be “educated” into modifying how they drive.
Manteca is still lagging in terms of dedicated traffic enforcement manpower.
If staffing were simply based on numeric ratio considerations, Manteca has a staffing deficit of 1½ traffic officers. At any rate the Manteca City Council has not increased traffic division staffing levels beyond what they were at in 2009.
A significant number of street miles have been added as well.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
