IF the business community in that area wants to cut crime, there is always the option of contractiong w/a private security firm for foot/car patrols.
Just a thought. The ratio of police to private security is something like 70/30 and growing.
If you go the private security route, go with canine patrols. No minimum wage guard is going to take a risk for someone elses investment. But if all he has to do is let loose the dog.....!
Worked very well in a marina I used to keep a boat at in NYC. Theft was down but still at unexceptable levels after a security firm was hired. Once we got the dogs, it stopped cold.