The COVID-19 pandemic is cited as one of the reasons.
Frederick, Md (KM) Crime in Frederick County went down last year. Statistics from the Sheriff’s Office and the local State Police Barrack show that Part One offenses dropped by 20% between 2019 and 2020. Part One crimes are homicides, rape, robberies, aggravated assault, burglaries, thefts and vehicle thefts.
The statistics show these Part One offenses decreased by nearly 300 crimes, a drop of 1.86 crimes per 1,000 Frederick County residents. Officials with both agencies say this represents a 18% decrease reported by the Sheriff’s Office, and a 30% decline by the Maryland State Police.
“This decrease of nearly 20% that the FCSO experienced in 2020 is constant with what many other jurisdictions have seen in 2020,” says Sheriff Chuck Jenkins, in a statement.. “The larger point is the fact that 2020 is the seventh consecutive year in which we have seen significant reduction in Part I offenses. The citizens of this county should be pleased with this continual decrease and reinforces the fact this is a very safe county to live in.”
The Sheriff says this decline is attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, when a lot of businesses had to close their doors, and many people were staying home for a number of months. He also says deputies have been focusing their efforts on directed patrol areas where citizens have experienced certain criminal activity in the past; and the effective apprehension of known offenders throughout the county.
“It is rewarding to see the decrease in crime given the increase in population and the influx of people traveling through Frederick County,” said Lt. Stephen Johnson, the commander of the Maryland State Police Barrack in Frederick, in a statement.
By Kevin McManus.