Gun crimes topic at Othello presentation

2006 data on city still being compiled

OTHELLO — Survey results are expected back this summer on how residents feel about guns and gun violence in the Othello area, based upon questions answered through a federal program.

The results were part of a Project Safe Neighborhoods survey with a focus on gun crime. The project tracks if people in a particular area feel safe around or have a fear of guns. The program's 2003 results show Othello as one of three eastern Washington "Hot Spots" for gun crime and a fear of gun crime, but the small sample surveyed is keeping researchers from drawing definitive conclusions on the Adams County town.

Othello was listed alongside Yakima and Wenatchee as a hot spot, and project researchers are expected to compile follow-up data this summer. Project Safe Neighborhoods encompasses partnerships with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies with a task of reducing gun crime.

Presenters from Washington State University who have been tacking gun data throughout eastern Washington presented findings to law enforcement and others at the Othello Police Department Wednesday, highlighting 2003 results.

Washington State University professor David Brody was cautious to take any definitive results away from the surveys, noting just 42 respondents which he said was not a large sample. The project sent out about 120 surveys in Othello, and presenters said Wednesday they would need a higher sample in order to speak more confidently of results.

The results were a part of data taken from residents of 20 eastern Washington counties and their municipalities to gather overall gun violence perceptions in the eastern part of the state. According to that data, Adams County placed fourth out of 20 counties in which respondents felt a fear of gun violence.

WSU project director Nicholas P. Lovrich said the group is trying to document what happened over three years time in Othello and eastern Washington. Final 2006 results are expected to be out this summer.

Othello Police Department Lt. Bob Hampton said the presentation does give the department something to work with, but said the department relies primarily on their uniform crime reporting statistics.

The survey results did show a high level of confidence in law enforcement in Othello, but Brody noted show a higher rate of the part 1, or violent crimes, per capita in Adams County compared to others. As an officer in the city, Hampton said he doesn't see a fear of gun crimes nor a real fear of police.

"Othello is the population area," Hampton said of Adams County. "As far as part 1 crimes, we don't have that many." Hampton added the city does have a high rate of juvenile crime like malicious mischief and vehicular prowling.

Hampton said his main concern with the data locally will be the database of people contacted, with just 42 people.

Final results of the 2006 survey are due out this summer.