The Uniform Crime Report data for November 2008 has been posted on the Department's website. Follow the link to view the entire report for November and year-to-date crime figures.
We are seeing a slight rise in property crimes during the past several months. Many will be quick to suggest this increase is due to the downturn of our economy. We are not quite ready to blame it all on the economy just yet. The biggest year-to-date increases were in auto theft (up 12%), a crime that is not often linked to economic downturns. Burglaries are down almost 3% from same period last year and larcenies are just about even. These crimes are more likely to be linked with the economy than auto theft.
Violent crime for the year is also up significantly during October and November. Robbery and Aggravated Assaults are the leading cause of this increase. However, the overall year-to-date figures for violent crime show a respectable decrease of 8%.
Crime figures for December and all of 2008 will be available at the end of January when we do our annual audit report for the year.
- Asst Chief Bill LePere
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