January 6, 2009

Charlotte, NC -- This report was issued from Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Chief Rodney Monroe:

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department completed 2008 with the lowest number of crimes committed since 2003 and the lowest crime rate per capita since the merger between the City of Charlotte Police Department and the Mecklenburg County Police Department in 1994.

A Year in Review:
The CMPD started the First Quarter of 2008 with an increase in crime of 12.4 % compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

• Violent crime increased 15.3%.
• Property crime increased 11.9%.

Index crime year-to-date increased 12.4% by the end of the quarter.

The Second Quarter also showed an increase of 3.3 % compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

• Violent crime increased 2.1%.
• Property crime increased 3.4%.

Index crime year-to-date increased 7.5% by the end of the quarter.

The Third Quarter showed a decrease of -17.3 % compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

• Violent crime decreased -13.5%.
• Property crime decreased -17.9 %.

Index crime year-to-date decreased -1.8% by the end of the quarter.

The Fourth Quarter showed a decrease of -23.8% compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

• Violent crime decreased -8.2%.
• Property crime decreased -25.8%.

Index crime for 2008 decreased -7.8% compared to 2007.

Currently 12 out of 13 Patrol Divisions are showing a decrease in Index crime; 34 of 39 Response Areas are showing a reduction in crime.

In the -7.8% decrease in 2008, violent crime was down by -2.3%, while the number of property crimes declined by -8.5%.

• Annual trends in the violent crime categories were mixed:
  • Criminal homicides were up by 10.7% while aggravated assaults increased by 1.2%.
  • Rape cases decreased by -5.0% and total robberies by -6.5%.   
•  Most of the property Index categories are experiencing declines with the exception of residential burglary and shoplifting larceny:
  • Total burglary was down -7.9% with commercial cases decreasing by -26.7% and residential cases increasing by a very slight 0.3% (residential at the end of the second quarter was up by 15.5%).
  • Total larceny showed a -8.0% drop, including a -12.6% drop in larceny from vehicle.
  • Vehicle thefts decreased by -12.5% this year-to-date.
  • Cases classed as arson dropped -13.7% according to preliminary figures.

Success Stories 2008
The overall crime reduction of 7.8% in Index crime for 2008 is the largest crime reduction per capita in 14 years.  This accomplishment was made possible because of the hard work of the men and women of the CMPD and the commitment of the community and its citizens.  There were many success stories in 2008 throughout the department that showed that working with the community, other agencies and local businesses can achieve extraordinary goals. Today we have all 13 of our Patrol Divisions represented.  Please take the time to speak with each of them about their successes working with the community and their crime reduction strategies.  As always, we will continue our efforts though partnerships, professionalism, and dedication to serve the citizens of Charlotte-Mecklenburg.