Is there crime?

Currentyooper refers to the drug problem in Baraga County. He's correct- it is out of control, and it involves people you would never think of as drug dealers. There are senior citizens selling pain medications, using their grandkids to sell the crap in schools. It is EVERYWHERE. I lived in an apartment complex where it was sold right out in the open, there was no fear of being caught. And there's plenty of other crime as well. Know why it's not in the paper? It works like this: You go to the police, report a crime, they question you like YOU'RE the criminal, and then nothing happens. People get to where they just don't bother anymore. We have what, 5 or 6 different law enforcement agencies down here. Why? How do they justify their paychecks?

Duane: Nobody's saying the only crimes are domestic violence or petty crimes. It's just that the major offenses are rather rare. Yes, they happen, but statistically much less so than most places in the rest of the country. Yes, we have a drug problem, but again I would say it's no more or less than anywhere else with similar demographics. Murders? We've had just a few in the past 20 years (and I'm not trying to disrespect the families of those involved, it's just a fact). I would say this is actually a pretty safe community, all things considered.

Yes there is crime , a whole lot of it. And domestics are just the tip of the iceberg. Let's not forget people we get murders here and some have been quite gruesome, we have had a serial killer here , assaults , domestics , B & E's , Grand Theft Auto , Rape , Child Molesting and the list goes on and on happens here and more than most people are willing to admit. It seems to me people have a very short memory for crimes that happen in this area , almost a state of denial. And don't even get me started on the drug problem in the area , which is way more rampant than most people are willing to admit , and it has claimed the lives of many youths in the area in just the last 15 years. So to those who say the only crimes are domestics and petty crimes ask Jodi Lynn Watts about that , oh wait she was stabbed to death with a screwdriver in front of the Hougton police department.

Actually, most domestic violence cases aren't reported in the newspaper because they are usually misdemeanors, and typically only felony cases get full stories. Aside from that, there's a litany of reasons why CSCs and domestic violence go underreported. Some is the victim's/family's insistence (don't want the publicity/hassle, etc.). Some is fear on the victim's part. And yes, sometimes the prosecutor declines to bring charges -- you have to remember there has to be enough evidence to prosecute. That said, I would say the overwhelming reason why CSCs and domestic violence cases aren't being prosecuted is because the victim refuses to testify ... it's changing that mentality in our community that is difficult.

Why only in the UP are domestic violence crimes rarely reported? It is rare that you see someone in the paper charged with domestic violence or CSC. I know these happen here in the UP but it is up to the PA to charge. Maybe if more people were charged, more would be reported.How many sexual assault cases do you ever see prosecuted within our community? How many domestic violence cases do you ever hear of being prosecuted? Is this community a safe place for women or a safe place for domestic violence and sexual assault to occur, since these are rarely charged?

Funny, the word h-e-r-o-i-n was censored in my post below. Is it now one of Carlin's Seven Words You Can't Say?

"I'd be willing to bet that 95% of Copper Country crimes are committed by about the same 60 or so repeat offenders, or the baby-crime-spuds they've spawned in their shallow gene pools." -Hilarious. And dead-on. I used to work closely with the judicial system and you'd see the same knotheads over and over again. Some notes: domestic abuse, including unfortunately sex crimes, are under-reported and rather rampant, though I suspect it's no more/less than anywhere else. Baraga County has a HUGE prescription drug problem that has been festering for years. Hard drugs (Meth, ******, etc.) are relatively rare, though alcohol abuse is higher than national averages. Overall, we're really pretty lucky to live where we do, crime is usually petty and most neighborhoods are still safe.

Not a lot, but where ever there are people, there is going to be crime. Mostly, it's like you describe -- crimes of opportunity. Other than that larceny stuff, there's your typical guys with joints & DUIs. When it comes to violent crimes, most of the criminals and victims know each other. Not a lot of random crime -- more likely, some moron gets drunk and shoots his dad, or something stupid like that. There is some drug related crime, but is having five or six pot plants really tearing apart a community? I suspect that domestic abuse (again, victim & criminal knowing each), is very under-reported. I'd be willing to bet that 95% of Copper Country crimes are committed by about the same 60 or so repeat offenders, or the baby-crime-spuds they've spawned in their shallow gene pools.