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Crime Statistics Show Offsetting Changes
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There were more robberies, burglaries and weapons offenses in Riverbank last year than in 2010, according to the comparative crime figures computed for each year by the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department.

But there were also fewer felony assaults, rapes, thefts, auto thefts, family offenses, driving under the influence (DUI) cases, traffic collisions (including those resulting in injury) and zero homicides in 2011 compared with 2010.

Over the past three years, robberies went from 11 in 2009 to nine in 2010 and 12 in 2011, burglaries from 173 to 215 to 306 and weapons offenses from 19 to 29 to 36.

For crimes that showed a decline last year, felony assault dropped from 173 in 2009 to 166 in 2010 and 69 in 2011, rape went from one to two to one, theft from 334 to 339 to 214, auto theft from 71 to 76 to 55, family offenses from 77 to 118 to 102, DUI from 50 to 55 to 42, traffic collisions from 185 to 218 to 164 and collisions involving injury from 40 to 44 to 37.

Riverbank Police Services is comprised of 20 sworn deputies who provide law enforcement services to 22,840-plus residents of the city, Police Chief Bill Pooley commented. That averages .87 deputies per thousand residents. The sworn deputies are assisted by six civilian employees and numerous civilian volunteers.

"The City of Riverbank is in the enviable position of having a very well-rounded and experienced team of law enforcement professionals serving the community," Pooley said.

The deputies serving here average 17.8 years of tenured experience, with 6.62 years dedicated specifically to Riverbank. Additionally, they average 4.6 years of experience in specialty assignments, including Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), K-9, traffic, mounted unit, field training officer, range master and 3.15 years of detective experience and four deputies are also bilingual.

"Essentially, our law enforcement personnel are prepared to address any contingency facing this department, thereby maximizing public safety for the citizens of Riverbank," added the chief.

During 2011, Riverbank Police Services handled more than 14,653 calls for service, including over 3,000 traffic stops and more than 2,083 issued citations. Deputies contacted 745 suspicious vehicles or persons, investigated 201 traffic collisions and handled 1,577 domestic disturbance calls. Riverbank Police Services made a total of 597 arrests this past year.