DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — WAND News is taking a closer look at crime trends in Decatur and how the SAFE-T Act may be impacting them.
The total number of felonies are on trend to exceed numbers in 2022. But shootings are way down from 2021 and 2022.
"Through November of this year, compared to November of 2021 — which was the highest year for pretty much everyone in the country as far as shootings — we're down 50%," Police Chief Shane Brandel told WAND News.
But crimes like shoplifting, stealing car parts and stolen property, are up.
"If they may feel like 'hey if I can get out easier,' they continue on their path," Chief Brandel explained.
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He said he isn't sure if there is a direct correlation between the SAFE-T Act and an increase in property crimes, but suspects arrested for those types of crimes are largely being released now under the Pre-Trial Fairness Act.
"Lets say for example somebody is a serial thief, and they keep getting out. Now we hope that in due time, if they are violating conditions of bail that they're able to be held. But that's one of those things we're concerned about," Chief Brandel added.
Police said the upside is violent, repeat offenders are no longer able to get out of jail on bond.
"Frankly what we had before, with the cash bond system, is you would see people with gun charges able to post a very large amount of cash — they would be back on the streets. So I don't see how the old system was better than this one," Michelle Sanders, the Chief Public Defender for Macon County, told WAND News.
Suspects are also appearing before a judge much more quickly.
"When police arrest someone and give them a notice to appear on the street, there is a quicker turn around with that. They come to court much quicker than they used to. I think it used to be somewhere between 30-60 days, now they come to court within 2-3 weeks," Sanders explained.
Sanders and police are now keeping an eye on suspects who may violate the terms of their release, or fail to show up for their court dates. They said it's yet to be seen how judges will handle these types of cases.
WAND News will continue following this developing story.
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