Back in 1989, the cult classic "Weekend At Bernie's" was playing on the big screen.  Two employees stumble upon their wealthy and flashy boss, Bernie, who has been whacked.  Wanting to "live large" for the weekend, they pretend Bernie is still alive and shenanigans ensue.

"Bernie may be dead, but he's still the life of the party!"

This weekend I blogged a couple of stories about crime in San Bernardino and San Bernardino Police Chief Mike Billdt.  Crime is up, arrests are down and there isn't any real explanation given.  Mayor Morris claims Chief Billdt is "remarkably qualified" and he may very well be, but Billdt's resume/qualifications are unlisted.

So, I have been doing a little more digging on the San Bernardino Police Department's website.  There are two sections of note that are a little disconcerting in a "Weekend At Bernie's" sort of way: The Strategic Plan and The Plan for 21 Beats.

If you will, these are the governing documents of our department.  The tactics and strategies that serve as the foundation for fighting crime in our city. 

However, they are former Police Chief Garrett Zimmon's plans!  I am assuming anyway, since they have his name on them and are several years old (Chief Mike Billdt took over the department two years ago) after an abysmal 2005.

Crime dropped sharply in 2006 by nearly all accounts and ratcheted up this year.  I am trying to find answers as to why crime dropped in 2006 and is on the rise this year, all the while millions more of our tax dollars are being pumped into the department and arrests are down.

I have already exposed the fraud that has been perpetrated by numerous parties that Operation Phoenix was responsible for the dramatic drop in crime in 2006.  Given the fact that Operation Phoenix wasn't up and running until the latter half of 2006, Operation Phoenix does not deserve the credit.  And this is confirmed by the abysmal climb in crime in 2007 all while Operation Phoenix has been going strong for the entire year.

Surely, Chief Billdt isn't using the plans of his predecessor.  Afterall, crime climbed precipitously in 2005.  So, what is his plan?

Was his plan responsible for the significant drop in crime in 2006.  If so, why hasn't that success been replicated, especially given the increase in millions of dollars in funding.

I am not trying to point out a bogeyman behind every bush.  However, I would like some answers, basic answers to basic questions.  Simple logic dictates that there is a disconnect here and yet nobody is really asking these questions or demanding answers.  So, let me summarize:

2005:  Crime reaches a zenith; Chief Garrett Zimmon is run out of town

2006: Crime drops dramatically under new Chief Mike Billdt

Why?  What is responsible for this change? What did we do differently in 2006 versus 2005? 

2007: Crime is up 6 percent and arrests are down 7 percent versus 2006; Millions more in funding and equipment have been provided to the SBPD by voters and City Council

Why are the results of 2006 not being replicated?  Are we doing anything differently in 2007 versus 2006?  Has the Chief altered his plan and thus the results are not as stellar as the previous year?

I really do not believe these are "gotcha" questions.  When will the San Bernardino Sun, the Press Enterprise and more importantly the city council get to the bottom of this situation?