We just released our 2009 UCR crime data for February. The initial year to date figures show overall crime is down in 2009 compared to the first two months of 2008. We will certainly welcome good news like this anytime!
Statistics being what they are, any fluctuation in the numbers during the early part of the year can show big percentage changes when the actual increase or decrease is only a few crimes. For instance, robbery is down 13.3% when the actual count is only 4 less robbery crimes this year compared to last.
Still, we look at long and short range trends to gauge where our hot spots are and where we need to deploy our resources to meeting changing trends. It's good to see a downward change, particularly in tough economic times.
- Asst Chief Bill LePere
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