Enlarge By Jacquelyn Martin, AP "As we see significant reductions, we'll be seeing increased response times, fewer cases solved and reduced services for victims of crime," says Prince William County, Va., Police Chief Charlie Deane, seen here in February. RISING PROPERTY CRIME RISING PROPERTY CRIME In a survey released last week, 74% of law enforcement officials cited a recent increase in at least one category of property crimes. Of those: • 68% saw more burglaries • 66% saw more larceny-theft • 28% saw more motor vehicle theft Source: Police Executive Research Forum The collapse of U.S. financial markets is forcing deep cuts in local police agencies and stoking fears among police chiefs that mass home foreclosures are bringing more crime to suburbs. Problems created by the financial meltdown are starting to touch everything from police response times to unsolved crimes. "As we see significant reductions, we'll be seeing increased response times, fewer cases solved and reduced services for victims of crime," says Prince William County, Va., Police Chief Charlie Deane. His $73 million budget could drop up to 30% next year because of declining property tax revenues. Blocks of homes vacant from foreclosures are becoming magnets nationwide for gang members, drug users, prostitutes and thieves, who steal appliances and fixtures, Deane and other officers say. At the same time, police agencies are dramatically reducing their forces as local governments struggle to allocate shrinking revenue from property and sales taxes to fund basic services. "In this crisis, there are no good answers," says Sacramento Police Chief Rick Braziel, who is slashing 200 positions and may need to cut more. In a survey of 180 police chiefs released last week by the Police Executive Research Forum, 45% said the economy had affected their agency's "ability to reduce crime." Three-quarters of those polled by the law enforcement advisory group in late July cited a recent rise in at least one category of property crimes. Nearly 40% said the economic slowdown had resulted in decreased funding. Cook County, Ill., Sheriff Thomas Dart has cut 200 jobs in two years because of falling revenues. Last week, he declared a moratorium on evictions from homes because many "innocent" renters were getting tossed out after owner-landlords defaulted on mortgage payments. The hundreds of vacant homes are expanding a blighted zone from traditionally troubled inner-city areas to wealthy suburbs northwest of Chicago. Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis says falling revenues have moved a plan to install 36 surveillance cameras in high-crime zones "off the table." "We see this as just the first in a long series of reductions," Davis says. "It's hard to say how this is all gonna shake out. This is a time for real concern." In the shadow of Palm Springs, Calif., Indio Police Chief Brad Ramos says Indio passed a law in April forcing owners of dozens of vacant homes to register the properties with the city. It holds them responsible for the upkeep of their properties. "Crime and the economy go hand in hand," he says. Yet David Muhlhausen, a crime analyst at the conservative Heritage Foundation, says the relationship between crime and the economy "isn't always clear." During the Great Depression, there was no crime surge. "Crime is a function of opportunity," he says. Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more