Attorney General Bill Lockyer Releases Preliminary Crime Report For The First Six Months Of 2005

Violent Crime Down 1.8 Percent; Property Crime Up 2.9 Percent

Monday, December 5, 2005
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

(SACRAMENTO) – Attorney General Bill Lockyer today released the “Crime in 2005, January Through June" preliminary report showing that, in California’s largest jurisdictions, violent crime decreased by 1.8 percent compared to the same period in 2004, while property crime increased by 2.9 percent.

“California has seen an overall decrease in violent crimes over the last decade due to the diligent efforts and hard work of local and state law enforcement agencies,” Lockyer said. “Motor vehicle thefts are the biggest reason property crimes are rising each year, and my office will continue to work with the California Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies to reduce vehicle thefts throughout the state.”

Of the seven major crime categories, all but one of the violent crimes decreased. Homicides decreased by 0.3 percent, forcible rape decreased by 3.1 percent and aggravated assault decreased by 2.7 percent, while robbery increased 0.2 percent.

Meanwhile, all three of the property crimes increased, according to the 2005 preliminary report. Burglary increased 1.1 percent, motor vehicle theft increased by 6.3 percent and larceny-theft over $400 increased by 0.8 percent. The report also shows larceny-theft, involving property valued at $400 and under, decreased 10.2 percent, while arson decreased 9.3 percent.

This report compares preliminary crime data from January through June 2005 with final counts for the same period in 2004 for law enforcement jurisdictions in California serving populations of 100,000 or more. The 81 jurisdictions – including cities and unincorporated areas of counties – which met this criteria in 2004 and 2005 account for approximately 65 percent of the crimes reported in the state.

The report is not adjusted to account for increases in population. The report, “Crime in 2005, January Through June,” is available on the Attorney General’s web site at http://ag.ca.gov/cjsc/publications/preliminarys/jj05/jj05.pdf.

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