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http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/1...b3027759277.txt

New figures show drop in crime rate

By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Sunday, October 23, 2011 5:57 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — Statistics from the first three quarters – January through September – of 2011 show crime has decreased.

Police Chief Mark Swistek said statistics in five of the seven crime categories have declined, equaling a 10 percent decrease in total crime from last year.

“The No. 1 thing I attribute this to is the hard work of the men and women of the police department,” Swistek said, but added the community’s role has been more significant.

“Community involvement is also very important,” he said. “This community has been doing a great job getting involved. And that’s what I want out of the community – to be our best witness.”

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The largest percent decrease from 2010 was in the number of reported rapes. A year ago, 10 such offenses were reported, but this year’s statistics show four.

The number of robberies, assaults and thefts also are down. Robberies have dropped from 48 to 32, accounting for a 33 percent decrease. Assaults are down from 460 to 443 in the nine-month time frame, while thefts have decreased from 1,113 to 1,031.

Swistek said he is especially proud of the decrease in burglaries, which showed a 31 percent decline from 295 last year to 203 in 2011.

That, he credits to the establishment of the Burglary Task Force, which was formed in September 2010 just months after Swistek was promoted to chief.

“That’s 92 people’s livelihoods our force has helped save,” Swistek said.

Since the Burglary Task Force was established, 95 arrests have been made and another five are “pending.”

The statistics show a slight increase in one category – motor vehicle thefts – which were at 85 at this point last year and 87 in 2011.

The number of homicides – two – are the same in 2010 and 2011.