Today, Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger announced that total crime for 2010 decreased 7.5% from 2009 and Part I violent crimes decreased by 13.5%.

These new figures contribute to a 12% decrease in total crime reported in the County in the past four years (71,491 crimes in 2007 to 62,944 crimes in 2010). The data also shows a 15% decrease (25,629 to 21,739) in the Part I violent crimes recorded during this same period. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population in Montgomery County increased from 941,491 people in 2007 to 971,777 in 2010, nearly 4%.

Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said, “I am very pleased to see a continuing downward trend in crime, and such a dramatic decrease in our crime numbers for 2010. Double-digit reductions in Part I crime are the result of many factors: a great school system, good services for those in need, healthy influences in the lives of young people, and our community partnerships. In addition, the Police Department’s ability to react quickly and effectively to crime trends as well as our ability to identify and arrest those who are responsible for crime played a key role in making our neighborhoods safer.

As is always the case, there is still work to do. Over 3,300 homes and businesses were broken into last year. Burglaries—both prevention and investigation—are receiving much more attention. Montgomery County remains a very safe community. I’m proud of my Cops.”

Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) statistics for year-end 2009 compared to year-end 2010 show:

• Part I Crime decreased by 13.5% (from 25,131 to 21,739)
• Part II Crime decreased by 3.9% (from 42,895 to 41,205)
• Overall, Total Crime (Part I & Part II) decreased by 7.5% (from 68,026 to 62,944)

Part I crimes are defined as: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and auto theft.

Part II crimes are defined as: minor assaults, arson, forgery-counterfeiting, bad checks, embezzlement, stolen property, vandalism, weapons offenses, prostitution, sex offenses, controlled dangerous substance (CDS) violations, gambling, family offenses, juvenile offenses, liquor law violations, disorderly conduct, suicide, and non-traffic offenses.

A breakdown of Part 1 Crime statistics reveals that from 2009 to 2010:
Murder: increased by 41.7% (from 12 to 17)
Rape: decreased by 4% (124 to 119)

Robbery: decreased by 8.2% (from 992 to 911)
Aggravated Assault: decreased 27.8% (from 904 to 653)
Burglary: increased 10.4% (from 3,011 to 3,323)
Larceny: decreased 16.9% (from 18,356 to 15,261)
Auto Theft: decreased 16.0% (from 1,732 to 1,455)

An analysis of the 2010 crime statistics for Part I offenses includes the following points:

Homicide
There were 17 homicides recorded in 2010; each victim located at separate scenes. Eleven of those cases have been closed. 64.7% of the victims knew or were related to their killers. Four victims died as a result of a robbery. Ten victims were killed by a firearm and four victims were killed by cutting/stabbing.

Rape
There were 119 rapes recorded in 2010. Of those rapes, 83.7% were completed rapes and 16.3% were attempted rapes. 69.9% of victims previously knew or were related to the offender and 29.3% of the assaults were committed by a stranger. (In .8% of cases the suspect relationship is unknown). Evidence indicates that 35.0% of the incidents involved drug and/or alcohol use prior to the assault.

Robbery
Commercial robberies increased 3.5% in 2010 (from 141 to 146), while non-commercial robberies decreased 10.1% (from 851 to 765). “Pack” street robberies (three or more suspects) decreased approximately 8.5% in 2010. Multiple arrests by patrol officers immediately following robberies and aggressive follow-up work by investigators have had a positive impact on reducing non-commercial robberies, especially for the repeat offenders and groups responsible for multiple robberies.

Aggravated Assault
653 aggravated assaults were reported in 2010. 32.0% of assault victims were a spouse/partner or other family member. Police officers were victims in 31 of these reported assaults. The display or use of a weapon occurred in 82.7% of these incidents.

Burglary
Increases in residential burglaries (10.7%) and commercial burglaries (15.1%) were noted in 2010. In 25.1% of residential burglaries, entry was gained through an unsecured (either unlocked or open) window or door.

Larceny
Overall, larceny decreased for the second year in a row. Decreases were noted in shoplifting thefts (6.5%), thefts from buildings (7.6%), and most notably in vehicle-related thefts (27.3%). The decline in vehicle-related thefts (theft from vehicle or of theft of vehicle parts) can be attributed in part to dedicating resources to these crimes, making numerous on-scene arrests in high activity areas in prior years, and increasing public awareness of the crime.

Auto Theft
Auto Theft decreased 16.0% in 2010.

Note: A copy of these crimes statistics, as well as previous statistics, is available on the Montgomery County Police website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/police. Once at the main police website, go to the Media Services webpage and the Crime Stats link. A written copy of these statistics may also be obtained at the Montgomery County Police Headquarters Media Services Division located at 2350 Research Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20850. 
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