CRIMINAL STATISTICS
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Irvine: America's Safest City
Despite an uptick in violent crimes, FBI data shows the area holds strong.
By Kristen SchottPublished: December 20, 2009
Despite an increase in violent offenses, Irvine has been named America's Safest City based on preliminary January through June 2009 part one crime data released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The city continues to hold the lowest per capita violent crime rate in the nation for areas with populations of more than 100,000 residents, according to the data. But, the number of violent crimes in the city – which includes murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault – rose to 81, up from 57 in the same period in 2008.
Last year marked the lowest violent crime rate in Irvine's history, according to Lt. John Hare, spokesman for the Irvine Police Department. But, he says the city's violent crime rate is still below its five-year average, if 2008's numbers are not included.
In the period, the city saw two murders, up from one at the same time last year. There were 36 accounts of aggravated assault as opposed to 21 in '08, and 31 reported robberies, which rose from 23. The number of reported incidents of rape – 12 in total – remained the same.
The city
also reported an overall decline in part one crimes compared to the same time
last year. Part one offenses include homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault,
burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft and arson.
It's positive news for the city, which prides itself on its public safety, according to Mayor Sukhee Kang.
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The city continues to hold the lowest per capita violent crime rate in the nation for areas with populations of more than 100,000 residents, according to the data. But, the number of violent crimes in the city – which includes murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault – rose to 81, up from 57 in the same period in 2008. Last year marked the lowest violent crime rate in Irvine's history, according to Lt. John Hare, spokesman for the Irvine Police Department. But, he says the city's violent crime rate is still below its five-year average, if 2008's numbers are not included. In the period, the city saw two murders, up from one at the same time last year. There were 36 accounts of aggravated assault as opposed to 21 in '08, and 31 reported robberies, which rose from 23. The number of reported incidents of rape – 12 in total – remained the same. The city also reported an overall decline in part one crimes compared to the same time last year. Part one offenses include homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft and arson. It's positive news for the city, which prides itself on its public safety, according to Mayor Sukhee Kang. NEXT PAGE >> Related headlines TUI University and the Army join forces O.C. loses 3,100 jobs in November O.C.'s median home price gets 8.1 percent uptick Judge rules for Nicholas and Ruehle |
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