Centralia Police Chief Bob Berg said city data refutes the notion some may have that low-income housing raises crime rates

    “There was heat and not a lot of light shed on the topic,” Berg said about earlier complaints about the Archdiocese Housing Authority’s plan to build low-income migrant housing in Centralia.

    A study done tracking police, fire and EMS calls from 2002 to midway through 2008 for seven major apartment complexes reveals there’s no correlation between low-income housing and crime in Centralia.

    In fact, the existing AHA complex at 1809 North Pearl Street experienced some of the least activity between 2002 and 2008.

    “We experience no significant difference in police calls for service at the Archdiocese’s low-income housing in the community when compared to others,” Berg said.

    Many raised concerns about flooding impacts during hearings to debate the future of the Archdiocese Housing Authority’s low-income migrant housing in Centralia, but much was also discussed about a potential rise in crime and violence that some believe accompany low-income housing areas.

    “You have to realize when you build low-income housing you’re going to have problems,” said David Williams, owner of the neighboring Stillwaters Estates retirement community. “We need to help people who have a low income, but there’s a balance that has to be maintained in the city.”

    He said he is still concerned about a possible spike in criminal activity, noting the AHA’s other complex in Centralia on North Pearl Street “has caused more problems with gangs and violence.”

Public Safety Service Request from Selected Multi-Unit Apartment Complexes

(2002 to June 2008)

1809 North Pearl — 156

111 Virginia Drive — 188

3004 Russell Road — 39

2802 Russel Road — 511

1013 Scammon Creek Road — 90

1101 Scammon Creek Road —    507

1401 Johnson Road    — 1,082