Decrease in Local Crime in Alignment with FBI National Statistics
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. - The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) recently released nation-wide statistics on crime rates show an overall decrease in both violent and property crime from 2007 to 2008 (Crime in the United States, 2008; September 2009). During the same reporting period, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts reported no change in the Massachusetts Violent Crime Rates and a 1% increase in the Massachusetts Property Crime Rates.
Although the Pittsfield Police Department (PPD) does not separate statistics for violent crime versus property crime, overall crime reports from 2007 to 2008 also reflect a decrease, consistent with the national rates. From 2007 to 2008, the number of crimes reported by the Pittsfield Police Department to the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) decreased from 3,867 to 3,690 (a decrease of 4.6%).
According to the FBI, 2008 marks the sixth year that “the collective estimates for these offenses dropped below the previous year’s total.” In 2005, the Pittsfield Police Department began reporting data to the FBI consistent with the NIBRS standards. Prior to 2005, PPD submissions were made under the older, less detailed Uniform Crime Report (UCR) standards. “Due to the change in reporting methodologies, it is impossible to make a direct year to year comparison prior to July of 2005. However, our full year statistics from 2006, 2007 and 2008 are consistent with the downward trend reported by the FBI. Obviously, 2009 figures are not finalized yet, but projections based on reported year to date figures indicate that this trend may continue for 2009,” stated Chief Michael Wynn.
Pittsfield Police Department crime reports are internally checked for both content and consistency with NIBRS standards. Once this check is completed, NIBRS data from the reports are submitted monthly to the Massachusetts State Police Crime Reporting Unit (www.ucrstats.com). The Crime Reporting Unit then verifies and validates the information, before submitting it to the FBI (www.fbi.gov) for inclusion in the national report.
“Although the members of the Police Department are proud of the positive impact we are having on local crime, we certainly can’t take all the credit for this success. Perhaps the most important factor in this trend is the amount of information we are receiving from the community. As part of our response to major incidents, we have requested that citizens get involved and provide us with information.
Our call volume, which has generally increased over the past five years, appears to indicate that citizens are responding to these requests. Additionally, excellent cooperation between law enforcement agencies may be contributing to this trend. Regular cooperation between local law enforcement, State Police, Federal Agencies, the Sheriff’s Office, and the District Attorney’s Office has become the norm.”
Requests for additional information should be directed to the Office of the Chief of Police at 413-448-9717.
