There are significant problems with both claims. According to the Salem Police Department, they do not endorse private alarm companies. They also say the so-called crime wave is a falsity. Recent preliminary FBI data indicates that violent crime rates are actually down nearly 18 percent and burglaries are down almost 15 percent.

The police department touts crime prevention programs, such as the Neighborhood Watch and Crime Prevention Through Enivironmental Design (CPTED). Both programs say they reduce the risk of crime while increasing the liviability of a neighborhood. For more information on these programs, contact the Salem Police Crime Prevention Unit at (503) 588-6175.