Crime reduced in East Chicago

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 1, 2013

9:00 am

Mark J. Becker, Chief of Police, made the following release:

I am pleased to report the totals of both violent crime and property crime occurrences that were reported to the East Chicago Police Department in 2012 and subsequently submitted to the FBI for inclusion in their Uniform Crime Report (UCR) 

A break down and total for each of the 8 crimes that consist of the FBI’s UCR report are as follows:

Violent Crimes (222) A reduction of 13% from 2011 total (255)

• Murder -3
• Rape- 9
• Robbery – 90
• Aggravated Assault – 120

Property Crimes (1,851) A reduction of 5% from 2011 total (1,941)

• Burglary – 594
• Larceny – 1,064
• Vehicle Theft – 190
• Arson - 3

Total Crimes (2,073) A reduction of 6% from 2011 total (2,196)

A review of our records, as well as those on file with Coroner Merrilee Frey’s office, was conducted dating back to 1975.  The Coroner’s staff assisted in a review of their records, which determined that the 3 murders reported in 2012 are the lowest experienced in at least the past 37 years. Records regarding murder totals for East Chicago prior to 1975 were not available. The total crime reported to the city (2,073) is the lowest number in over 12 years.   

Chief Becker commended all members of the police department for the reduction in crime this past year and also noted that increased interaction with the public is also to be credited in reducing as well as solving the crimes that took place