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Crime worries Houghton Lake residents Sunday, January 16, 2005 By JERRY NUNN SPECIAL TO THE TIMES HOUGHTON LAKE - When crime in their southern Michigan hometown sky-rocketed a few years ago, the Case family fled north, looking for a safe place to raise their kids. Now, rising crime rates around Houghton Lake have them questioning that move. "How far out in the country do we have to move? We came up here to get away from it," said Holly Case, 35, who left Jackson to find solace in Prudenville. "It affects everyone and everyone is concerned." Advertisement Of the three armed robberies in the past four months, one was at the convenience store where Case works. But her concern, said the mother of two children, is not for herself. She is most upset about the attempted abduction, in July, of a 9-year-old girl from the girl's own home. "I know that attempted abduction was an isolated incident, but my youngest had fears before that," Case said. "You want to shield them from that stuff. We tried, but you can't. They hear about it. We should not have to explain that to them." Roscommon County Sheriff Francis Staley is reluctant to declare an increase in crime rates. Rather, he notes an increase in population and in unemployment rates. According to census bureau estimates, Roscommon County's population increased 32 percent between 1990 and 2003, to 26,230. Unemployment for the third quarter of last year is reported to be 9.1 percent, about the median when compared to surrounding counties. "I don't know that overall crime has increased. Certainly, armed robberies are more prevalent than they have been in the past," Staley said, adding that many of the recent crimes have been committed by young adults who are area residents. "What we have had is some highly visible crimes with a lot of news coverage. I would not say it was drug related, and I would certainly not say it was gang related. There has been nothing that would indicate that to me." But high-profile crimes over the past six months have alarmed both victims and residents in the Houghton Lake area. In early September, eight break-ins of area businesses took place over a two-day period. In November three men were apprehended with 16 stolen recreational vehicles and a trailer. Also, remnants of an illegal drug lab were recovered from the nearby national forest, a suspicious fire gutted a landmark hotel, and tires were stolen from an automobile dealership. Four days before Christmas, in the middle of the night, 81-year-old Melvin Battani opened the door of his home to two young men claiming car trouble. By the time they left, Battani was hog-tied, his house ransacked, and his wallet, 52-inch television and 2004 buick LeSabre were gone. "We have big problems," Battani said. "Things have changed around here. It is not like it used to be. And what are we going to do? The police are doing all they can. And people won't give them the money to do any more." No central agency keeps a record of total crime. According to the Roscommon County Sheriff's Department and Prosecuting Attorney's office, each of the five police agencies that cover the two communities report crimes directly to the state. That leaves a crime rate increase open to speculation, according to Morry and Brad McClain, father-and-son business partners. Both think population growth and unemployment make crime appear out of proportion. "It's a historical fact. When the economy is down, crime goes up. Just watch the nightly news, the economy is talked about every night," said Brad McClain. "Is it really up, or is it just reported more? Look at all the new people," said Morry McClain, a resident since 1968. "Look at all the new businesses. When you look at it that way, I think it puts it in a new perspective." Eric Hamp is the third-generation editor of the family owned local newspaper, The Houghton Lake Resorter. "I don't think crime is any worse than it ever was, aside from the armed robberies and break-ins," Hamp said. "It's news. We have to report it. But at the same time, you wonder if it makes it appear worse than it really is." Woody Haskin, owner of Fun Time Party Store in Houghton Lake, has a personal reason to believe the crime rate is up. "I've been here eight years and never had a problem. Then I get hit twice," he said. "The police are doing a good job catching them, I think, but it is just ignorance. It's just kids." Battani, a retiree from downstate, says neighbors need to help neighbors fight crime. "I think we should start a citizens patrol. That's what we did in Detroit," Battani said. "I'm not talking vigilantes or anything, just people riding around, watching out for each other."