Piedmont Crime Down Overall but Burglaries Up

Serious crime in Piedmont decreased overall in the first three months of 2012 compared with the same period last year, but burglaries are up by 29 percent, according to figures prepared by Police Chief John M. Hunt III.

"Crime in the City of Piedmont for the first quarter of 2012 was 17.8 percent lower as compared to 2011 (74 total crimes compared to last year’s 90 crimes)," Hunt says in a report that he will present formally to the Piedmont City Council on Monday, April 16.

Larceny/thefts, motor vehicle thefts and robberies are down, but burglaries increased from 24 in the first quarter of 2011 to 31 in the first three months of 2012, the report shows. Assaults also increased, from zero in 2011 to one this year.

"Though the overall crime rate decreased, the crime of burglary remains a stubborn crime to keep under control," Hunt says in his report.

"Our officers know the typical burglar’s modus operandi, the types of targets they favor and the hours they strike. However; with so many targets in the city, it makes it difficult to catch a burglar in the act. We rely on the officer’s visibility to be a deterrent and for the public to be our second set of eyes."

The report covers specific crimes that are included in the FBI's annual Uniform Crime Report.

Here's a look at the figures for both years:

Hunt's report also includes a map showing the distribution of crimes within the city. The complete report is attached above as a PDF and is also available on the City of Piedmont website.

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