Crime rate remains stable in Sisters area

Crime rates have remained stable in the Sisters area over the past three years.

According to Deschutes County Sheriff's Office statistics, there were 73 felonies charged in the City of Sisters last year, up from 61 in 1998 and 54 in 1999. Charged felonies in the local unincorporated areas were down to 69 in 2000 after 81 in 1999 and a high of 104 in 1998.

Misdemeanor charges were up in the city and down in county areas.

"I think we're pretty stable," said Sergeant Rich Shawver of the Sisters substation.

Shawver noted that crime statistics can be misleading because a single incident can lead to multiple charges, distorting the impression of the overall crime rate.

"These are not numbers that would cause me any concern," Shawver said.

Traffic citations have been on a steady upward trend over three years, both in unincorporated areas and within the city limits.

"Our deputies have been doing more aggressive traffic enforcement," Shawver said.