City's 2011 violent crimes down in five categories

... but up 1 percent overall

   Though 2011 crime statistics showed a slight 1 percent rise overall, a crime report issued by Murfreesboro Police Department (MPD) stated Friday, there were decreases in five violent areas, including homicide, rape, robbery, larceny and arson.
   Police officials said that total reports of Part I crimes to police in 2011 decreased markedly from 2010. 
   'Part I Crimes', according to the FBI,  include homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft and arson.
   Crime trend data indicates there were decreases in five areas of reportable crime and increases in three. 
   Reports of homicide were down 40 percent in 2011 compared to 2010 or from five to three respectively. Reports of rape went down from 40 in 2010 to 29 in 2011, a 28 percent drop. Robbery went down 31 percent or  from 180 in 2010 to 125 in 2011.  Reports of Larceny also went down 3 percent from 3,300 in 2010 to 3,185 in 2011 and Reports of Arson went down 80 percent from 15 in 2010 to three in 2011.
   Assault reports went up 12 percent from 1,499 to 1,685, Burglary reports were up 3 percent from 1,316 to 1,352 during the year and Reports of Motor Vehicle Thefts were up 16 percent from 149 in 2010 to 173 in 2011. 
   “We are pleased to see that reports of violent crime, specifically homicides, robberies and rapes decreased in 2011, Chief of Police Glenn Chrisman said. “A priority was placed on implementing strategies to reduce these categories of crime.
   “Now,” he continued, “we have developed strategies to reduce the number of burglaries and property crimes that have risen slightly over the last year. A Directed Patrol unit was formed to address crime problems as they become known to police. Working with the Criminal Investigations Division, Crime Prevention Unit, and Uniformed Patrol, this unit has been largely successful at preventing violent criminal activity.”
   Officers responded to a record 101,194 calls for service in 2011, an 11 percent increase over 2010. Officers and detectives were responsible for over 9,565 criminal charges, a 19 percent increase.
   Uniformed officers issued 16,547 citations in traffic-related cases and 23,088 parking citations. The Automated Red-Light Enforcement System began operating in June of 2008 and issued 11,936 citations in 2011, bringing the total number of citations to over 50,000. Fatal crashes occurring on Murfreesboro streets decreased from six in 2010 to two in 2011, a 67 percent decrease.
   Of the three homicides in 2011, two have been cleared by arrest and are awaiting trial, while one remains under active investigation.
   “While the reduction in violent crime is a significant step toward keeping our city safe,” Chrisman said, “we will not stop with that success alone as we set our aim at reducing all categories of crime. I am proud of the dedication and the desire of our police officers, dispatchers, and all other members of the Murfreesboro Police Department to reduce crime and hold law violators accountable for their actions.
   We will continue to work with our law enforcement and community partners to identify and incorporate innovative solutions to the safety and quality of life challenges our city faces from the criminal element, the Chief said. "Together we will continue to send a message that crime and criminal activity are not tolerated in Murfreesboro.”