The latest Part 1 Crime stats

Crime statistics for November show a blend of positive and concerning trends compared to October, with significant variations across the city’s three districts. Overall, the total number of crimes reported dropped slightly, from 168 in October to 164 in November, reflecting a 2.38 percent decrease. This reduction aligns with a broader year-to-date decline in crime, which is down 14.45 percent compared to the same period in 2023.

However, the distribution of criminal activity highlights stark contrasts between districts, with the west side accounting for 57 percent of reported incidents, the city center 21 percent, and the east side 22 percent. These patterns underscore the need for a localized approach to crime prevention and resource allocation.

Homicides remained at zero for both October and November, maintaining the city’s low incidence of such crimes throughout 2024. While there was no change in homicides, reported rape cases surged dramatically. November saw four incidents of rape compared to just one in October, a 300 percent increase that highlights an area of growing concern. This uptick suggests a need for enhanced awareness campaigns and prevention strategies to address this issue.

Aggravated assaults rose by 31.25 percent, increasing from 16 in October to 21 in November. This growth was driven by incidents involving weapons, particularly knives and firearms. The west side reported 10 aggravated assaults, including four involving knives, demonstrating that this district continues to experience a higher concentration of violent crime. By comparison, the city center and east side reported 8 and 7 aggravated assaults, respectively, though the types of weapons used varied across these areas.

Robbery incidents showed a significant decrease, dropping from 10 cases in October to 6 in November, representing a 40 percent reduction. This decrease included declines in strong-arm street robberies, which fell from eight in October to two in November. Armed street robberies, however, remained consistent, with two cases reported in both months. The west side was the only district to report robbery incidents in November, reflecting its higher share of overall criminal activity.

Burglaries also saw a notable decline, falling from 26 cases in October to 19 in November, a 26.92 percent decrease. Residential burglaries dropped by half, from 14 cases to 7, with four of these occurring on the west side. Other types of burglaries, including those targeting businesses, mailrooms, and secure garages, also experienced reductions. Despite these declines, the west side accounted for the majority of burglary incidents, reinforcing its position as the area with the most concentrated criminal activity.

Theft from motor vehicles rose slightly, from 21 incidents in October to 22 in November, with the west side again contributing the largest share of cases. Vehicle burglaries followed a similar trend, rising from 9 incidents to 13, with most reported on the west side. However, thefts of vehicle parts showed a positive trend, with no cases of grand theft vehicle parts reported in November compared to one in October.

Shoplifting incidents increased by 33.33 percent, with 12 cases in November compared to 9 in October. The east side was the leading district in this category, reporting 8 of the 12 cases. Other types of theft showed mixed patterns. Pickpocketing surged dramatically, rising from 10 incidents in October to 25 in November, a 150 percent increase. The west side reported 13 of these incidents, underscoring its vulnerability to this type of crime. Conversely, petty theft from buildings saw a sharp decline, dropping from 44 incidents in October to 27 in November, with the east side contributing 9 cases.

Auto thefts increased from 9 cases in October to 13 in November, with contributions from all districts. The city center reported 3 cases, while the west side and east side contributed 2 each. Arson incidents also rose, with 3 cases reported in November compared to none in October, bringing the year-to-date total to 6.

The west side’s dominance in criminal activity is apparent across several categories, including aggravated assaults, robberies, and thefts from motor vehicles. Its 57 percent share of all Part 1 crimes highlights the need for intensified law enforcement efforts and community engagement in this district. The city center and east side, while reporting fewer incidents overall, showed notable contributions to specific crime types, such as shoplifting and petty theft.