Whites fled west side neighborhoods based on concerns of property value losses and crime increases.

Figures updated through Dec. 7 and released a few days later by the Department of Education showed only a slight (2.35 percent) crime increase in schools.

"If people aren't working, crime increases," she said.

Other local and state officials have suggested that at least some of the crime increase is linked to the newcomers who are flocking to the state.

"You can't have unending crime increases or decreases, and the past is the best predictor of the future."

"And if drugs were the operative reason for the crime increase, then something had to be done about demand."

Incidences of crime increase around the Chinese New Year.

"But the numbers do not justify calling it a serious crime increase."

"It is very difficult to find examples anywhere in the world of a crime increase of more than 30 percent in one year."

And as crime increases, government and local law enforcement officials have been struggling to deter and eliminate these criminally active groups.