High profile murders obscure dip in violent crime in Y’town

Though the 20 homicides last year in Youngstown are still too many for a city with a population of less than 80,000, they do represent a 17 percent drop from 2009. Rapes, robberies and felonious assaults were also down, but the number of burglaries and thefts was higher last year than the year before.

Given Youngstown’s history of crime, any decline in the major categories is worthy of recognition. It is a testament to the city’s zero-tolerance strategy that involves the police department working with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Flooding the streets in dangerous neighborhoods with police during the months when criminals are most active has proven to be effective.

In 2010, in addition to the 20 homicides, there were 49 rapes, 232 robberies and 372 felonious assaults. By comparison, there were 24 homicides in 2009, 55 rapes, 291 robberies and 397 felonious assaults. Thefts were even at 369, while the number of arsons was down, 241 vs. 258.

The increase in burglaries and thefts was to be expected given that Youngstown has been hard hit by the national economic recession. Last year, there were 2,068 burglaries, compared with 1,869 in 2009; there were 1,709 thefts, compared with 1,468. While these crimes do not attract media and public attention the way homicides do, they are just as damaging to the city’s reputation and just as bad for the quality of life.

But last year’s murders of 80-year-old Angeline Fimognari, 67-year-old Vivian Martin and 74-year-old Thomas Repchic reinforced the public’s view that Youngstown is lawless and unsafe.

The three killings were particularly heinous because they were not the result of the usual gang banger violence. All three victims were innocent bystanders in the city’s mean streets.

Fimognari was shot Jan. 23, 2010, at point blank range as she sat in her car in the parking lot of St. Dominic Church on the South Side. She attended daily Mass at the church. Jamar Houser has been charged with aggravated murder, aggravated robbery and illegal gun possession.

Burned body

Martin, a real estate broker, was killed in an East Side house. Her badly burned body was found inside the house that had been set on fire. Robert S. Brooks and Grant P. Cooper have been charged with aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated arson and kidnapping.

Repchic was shot to death as he drove his car on the South Side. Police say he was the victim of mistaken identity. Aubrey Toney and Kevin D. Agee Jr. have been charged with aggravated murder and attempted murder and felonious assault in the wounding of Repchic’s wife, Jacqueline.

The accused in all three incidents face the death penalty.

The trials this year will be watched closely because of what’s at stake: The ability of the city of Youngstown to deliver a firm message about crime and punishment.