The following crime statistics were released by CMPD on April 22, 2008:Following four months of a declining crime trend- both property and violent crime increased in March 2008. Compared to February, violent crime was up 11% (59 more crimes) and property crime was up 11.3% (416 more crimes) Compared to the same period last year:
- As of March 31, 2008- 20 cases were classified as homicides, compared to 19 last year.
- Robberies have increased 15.1%
- Aggravated Assaults have increased 16.8%
- Burglaries have increased 8.3%. (Residential burglaries have increased 17.8% while commercial burglaries decreased by 14%)
- Reports of vehicle thefts have increased 8.2%
- Larceny from Auto (which comprised 1/3 of all index crimes) increased 27%, while the second largest larceny category (Larceny-Other) showed a decrease this year of 4.2%
- 2,310 index cases were cleared in the first three months of 2008- almost 10% more than the cases cleared in the same three months last year
- Arrests are up 9.5% overall and 16.4% for those who have committed property crimes
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is taking a number of steps to address the increase in crime:
- Aggressively focusing on the repeat offenders who are committing the majority of crime
Conducting field interviews with people (Up 10% this year to date over last) - Increasing zone checks (Up 106% this year over last) to provide increased visibility
Continuing focus on crime hot spots - Working with residents to establish neighborhood watch programs and evaluating crime prevention options with homeowners
- Emphasizing crime prevention steps people can take to reduce larcenies from autos by not leaving items of value inside a vehicle
- Addressing quality of life concerns that can contribute to crime (abandoned houses, lighting, trash and untended fields and yards)
- Developing options for making cases against those who commit property crimes that will result in increased penalties (higher bonds, monitoring upon release, jail time)
CMPD LINKS:
- Overall Crime Index Report for March 2008
- Overall and Division Summary Report for March 2008
- 2007 Year-End Report -- Overall and Division Summary
- 2007 Crime and Safety Report
- CMPD Crime Statistics Archive