Crime Trending Downward in First Half of 2012
by Police Chief James Johnson
Statistics for the first half of 2012 show crime in each of the County’s 10 precincts trending downward.
Data provided by our Crime Analysis Unit show that Part I crimes – the most serious crimes – decreased by 8.6 percent during the first six months of this year compared to the previous five-year average for the same time period. Total crime – Part I and Part II – declined by 5.4 percent from the previous five-year average.
Before we get into the details, a word about how we look at crime statistics in Baltimore County: In 2011, we began comparing current crime data against the previous five-year average rather than against the previous year. In any given year, a host of factors – weather is one of the most significant – may cause crime to spike up or down. Such short-term comparisons often do not provide a true picture of local crime. I believe we should focus on trends, on whether crime is rising or falling over the longer term.
In the first six months of 2012, Part I violent crime decreased by 348 cases from the previous five-year average for the same period. There were 1,942 violent crimes in the first six months of the year, down from the previous five-year average of 2,290.
Part I property crime decreased by 898 cases; there were 11,268 Part I property crimes from January through June, compared to 12,166 for the previous five-year average. That is a 7.4 percent decrease from the previous five-year average.
Rape, which increased by nine cases, from 71 to 80, is the only category of Part I violent crime that exceeded the previous five-year average during the first six months of the year. The other types of violent crime all dropped:
- Homicide decreased by five cases, from 15 to 10
- Robbery decreased by 88 cases, from 726 to 638
- Aggravated assault decreased by 264 cases, from 1,478 to 1,214
All categories of Part I property crime compared favorably to the previous five-year average:
- Burglary decreased by 70 cases, from 2,033 to 1,963.
- Theft decreased by 356 cases, from 8,823 to 8,467.
- Motor vehicle theft decreased by 446 cases, from 1,172 to 726.
- Arson decreased by 26 cases, from 138 to 112.
Total Part I crime – violent crime and property crime – for the first six months of 2012 decreased by 1,246 cases, from 14,456 to 13,210, when compared to the previous five-year average.
Part II crime also declined during the first half of the year. Part II crime includes simple assaults, sex offenses, drug violations, vandalism and many other crimes. During the first half of 2012, Part II crime declined by 509 cases, from 17,862 to 17,353.
In addition, our clearance rates for Part I crime continue to exceed the national average as determined by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting System. This means we are solving crimes and getting criminals off the street.
I am always cautiously optimistic when providing positive crime news such as this.
Optimistic, because we know we truly are making Baltimore County safer when data over a five-year period shows declines in almost every category of crime. Cautious, because human nature cannot be controlled.
We have an extraordinary team of personnel committed to public safety. We are focused on crime prevention and reduction, using technology and partnerships to continue the great crime reductions we have experienced over the last several years.
As always, we will look closely at the next set of crime statistics to see if the downward trend holds. The never-ending work of determining the best strategies to keep Baltimore County safe continues.
Arbutus Town Crier
9:38 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
FBI -Baltimore County? City? Accuracy? zip code 21229 ARBUTUS effects housing prices?
http://www.movoto.com/neighborhood/md/baltimore/21229.htm
Neighborhood information for the ZIP code 21229 is based on data from the Census and the FBI Crime Database. You can learn about the population characteristics in each ZIP code covered by Movoto. For the 21229 ZIP code, we provide graphs showing information such as the population by race, gender, age, birthplace, and employment industries. The FBI crime index is displayed as a graph that shows the crime trend over the past several years. You can also find property characteristic data for the 21229 ZIP code including information on the number of rooms per residence, the year built, and owner versus renter occupancy. This data is provided to help you learn about the 21229 ZIP code and to act as a research tool to help you make a home purchase. On the Movoto website, you can view all of the Baltimore property, learn about Baltimore school, and meet a Top-Rated Real Estate Agent who can assist you with your home purchase. Movoto is your best source for Baltimore Real Estate information.
Arbutus Town Crier
10:08 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
How many zip codes cross city lines? are they all within the beltway?, what is the impact on these areas and support of local government? what is the impact on the community that shares the same name?
Buzz Beeler
12:13 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012
I'm sick of Johnson telling us how safe we are. The homicide rate doesn't look too good.
The other stats are and can be manipulated easily. The city had no problem in their rape scandal stats.
I'm sick of watching officers write parking ticket on one illegally parked car and drive right by numerous other ones and do nothing.
When I call and report a major drug operation and I became a target and I begged your department for help and received nothing, not even a call. You want the pics of what they did to my vehicle.
Remember these comments you made at a community meeting on cyber-bulling?
http://dundalk.patch.com/blog_posts/full-agenda-vip-speakers-greet-annual-norwoodholabird-community-meeting
You announced a new cyber crime unit because it was becoming a serious problem not only in the county by the country as well. Shellenberger the SA doesn't even have such a unit.
I become a victim, report the crime, call your new cyber crime unit and hear - we'll get right on it - and then your own people are calling me on how to investigate it.
Then I hear Shellenberger tell me it's no crime but I can get a warrant for the suspect who uses a pseudonym. His assistant DA Ms. Slazak says - oh well you choose to be on the internet and this is what you get.
Ms. Almond writes a worthless resolution when there are both state and federal laws on the books. She has a county delegation to deal with this issue.
DYSFUNCTIONAL come to mind in county government.
Arbutus Town Crier
12:32 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Just as the illegal Gambling: "I haven't received any citizen complaints," said Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger. "We react to what people complain about. Until somebody brings us a complaint, we won't take any action." ...............Is this across the board? Actions speak louder then words! Whats the saying? right from the horses mouth! Nuf said!
Arbutus Town Crier
8:13 am on Friday, November 23, 2012
I am surprised that more people that share zip codes in Baltimore County has not realized the issue if zip codes effect there communities, Community Associations that are wondering why they have issues in there neighborhoods in the county. When your area share a city zip code and the housing real estate company's show crime stats root cause, degrading property Values? what are they hiding? Trying to get true data ...well here look at this.... and how hard it is to get information http://www.wbaltv.com/news/maryland/i-team/Consumer-group-demands-ZIP-code-info-in-mortgage-servicing-agreement/-/10640252/17351604/-/format/rsss_2.0/-/9gyfpwz/-/index.html
number9dream
10:07 am on Friday, November 23, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving +1.
I'm thankful for my County government and law enforcement agencies and officers. They do the best they can with the resources at their disposal to protect and serve me and my family.
To all the whiners: Grow up and count your blessings.
Arbutus Town Crier
12:10 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
number9dream I guess you are one of those ones who don't see improvement is needed and decide to use childish name calling that u have noting to offer on constructive criticism. This is not a wide brush painting all members in blue! you intellectual thought process is flawed and needs improvement.Your comment is a wide brush and shows that your one that will do anything to get what you want by putting your lips on the gluteus medius muscle and will need a hammer & chisel to remove them. You fail to see the picture that a few bruised apples reflects on the departments leadership. Public citizens are to serve the private citizen. If you truly want to be correct thank the people that pay for these services first "All The Whiners" ! Then praise them members who put there life on the line and service us.
We the people of Baltimore County who pay for your Courageous Service and Sacrifice to Protect us is by no means is enough, and is never enough or match your spirit of your service protecting humanity. A Gracious Thank You !
Parkvillehoney
12:38 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
I have seen an increase in crime in the Parkville-Cub Hill area. On Nov 16th 4 black guys robbed and assaulted 3 people walking in front of Pine Grove Middle School at 7:30pm, as reported in this weeks Avenue Newspaper. This is the trash that is living in the apartments near this school. I have seen groups of young guys hanging at this apartment's corners in the evening. Are they selling drugs or mapping out their criminal activity?
Buzz Beeler
3:30 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012
Arbutus Town Crier, thank you. I was in that system for 39 years. Twenty on the street and 19 on the administrative side.
The people have no clue as to what goes on. I would like to see the stats for - calls for service. Those are telling because you can't stop the phone from ringing unless they don't answer it which also goes on.
Crime is not PC and thus the games begin. Many calls are downgraded or NR'ed (no report) to change the stats. The city was good at that.
Many people have lost faith in the department and won't call at all.
It's all about leadership and Johnson got rid of everyone except the bobble heads. Besides Homan runs the department because Johnson won't stand up to him.
The county just lost another big case to the FOP because of Homan.
ATC you see the changes in the county with your own eyes. It's not hard to figure out.
jackblasio
11:51 pm on Saturday, November 24, 2012
Homicide stats crack me up...it seems to imply that since there are 5 people less that died, that we've got credit on 5 potential dead people...or that somehow maybe 5 other dead peeps will now get up and resume living as they had ....before this exquiste little inconvience known as "death- by homicide"....'til 5 more get snuffed out...lol...