FeedsCrime rates increase
Violent crime and property crimes in the Belleville area—and the nation—are up this year, according to the recent findings in the Uniform Crime Report compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Belleville Police Chief Gene Taylor said that these figures do not accurately represent crime findings for the city because of the size of the community, however.
“If we have one incident happen it could jump a great deal because we’re so small,” he said.
In 2005, violent crimes went up nationwide by 2.5 percent when compared to 2004 figures. Violent crimes include murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault.
The Midwest alone also saw violent crime increase by 5.7 percent, murder by 5.8 percent, robbery by 8.5 percent, aggravated assault up by 5.3 percent and burglary by 3.8 percent. In turn, forcible rape was down by 1.6 percent, property crime down by .7 percent, larceny theft down by 2.1 percent and motor vehicle theft down by .1 percent, according to the report.
Except for accidents, there was an increase in everything for Belleville, Taylor said.
“What happens is when the economy goes sour, so does the crime rate,” he said. “When people can purchase what they want, it’s good. It’s been like that since the beginning of time.”
In Van Buren Township, the increase was in assault for both non-aggravated and aggravated for a combined total of 38 to 75; death investigations, which went from nine to 11; child abuse, which increased from two to eight; domestic violence, which increased from 76 to 183 and disorderly conduct, which went from four to seven from 2005-2006.
There were no reported murders in Belleville in 2004, 2005 or 2006.
Property crimes, which include burglary, motor vehicle theft and larceny theft, also increased. Burglary crimes went up from 68 in 2005 to 102 in 2006, larceny theft increased from 86 in 2005 to 141 in 2006 and motor vehicle theft jumped slightly from 18 to 21.
