Sheriff Jenkins says the overall crime rate is less than one-half the national average.
Frederick, Md (KM) The overall rate for Part One crimes dropped in Frederick County last year by 12%. That’s according to figures released by the Sheriff’s Office and the Frederick Barrack of the Maryland State Police.
The combined statistics of the two agencies show homicides, robberies, burglaries and thefts were down, while rapes, aggravated assaults and motor vehicle thefts increased.
There was one homicide in 2016 compared to three the previous year. Rapes increased from 8 to 14 between 2015-16, and aggravated assaults rose from 161 in 2015 to 185 last year. 35 robberies were reported in 2015, but only 34 were recorded in 2016. 412 burglaries and breakings and enterings were reported in 2015, but that number dropped to 293 the next year. There were 1,444 thefts in 2015. That number declined the following year to 1276. Motor vehicle thefts increased from 54 in 2015 to 64 in 2016.
“It’s pretty satisfying to report that serious crime is down in Frederick County for the third consecutive year,” said Sheriff Chuck Jenkins, in a statement. “The big reductions were in theft and burglaries, and the biggest increase was in aggravated assaults, most domestic related. These reductions are due in part to our targeted enforcement and directed patrol efforts in problem areas of the county.”
The Sheriff further states: “We will continue to implement our enforcement strategies and aggressively attack the heroin crisis in Frederick County. In my thinking, the one statistic that stands out is the fact that our crime rate is less than one-half the national average. That’s a strong indicator to the quality of life in Frederick County,” he says.
The national rate for Part One Offenses (homicides, rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries/breakings and enterings, thefts and motor vehicle thefts) is 28.60 per 1,000. In Frederick County, it’s 12.89 per 1,000, according to the Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
“We are very pleased with any annual reduction in crime, but specifically for serious crime in 2016,” says Lt. Wayne Wachsmuth, the commander of the Maryland State Police Barrack in Frederick, in a statement. “We will continue to pursue criminal investigations through our uniform troopers as well as Criminal Enforcement Division Units. The Frederick Barrack is committed to monthly criminal/ traffic enforcement initiatives to improve highway safety and reduce crime in Frederick County.”
By Kevin McManus