Via press release:
The Bismarck Police Department presents its 2013 Crime and Traffic Analysis Report. The report contains a summary of the incidence of crimes, calls for service, and traffic related statistical information.
Statistical information concerning the incidence of crimes is primarily divided into Group A offenses which includes the more serious personal and property crimes; Group B offenses which includes misdemeanor crimes; and miscellaneous offenses. Serious crimes, identified as the Group A offenses, decreased by 8.9% in 2013 in comparison to 2012.
Crimes Against Persons decreased 8.5% overall in 2013 compared to 2012. Within this category, Forcible Rape decreased by 43.1% (25 offenses in 2013 compared to 44 in 2012); Aggravated Assaults decreased by 5.9% (142 offenses in 2013 compared to 151 in 2012) and 59.8% of those were Domestic Assaults, 47% involved alcohol. Simple Assaults decreased by 9% (687 offenses in 2013 compared to 755 in 2012), 61.8% of which were Domestic Assaults, 48% involved alcohol.
Crimes Against Property decreased 9.1% overall in 2013 compared to 2012. Of note in this category was overall Theft of Property cases decreased by 14.1% (1,379 offenses in 2013 compared to 1,607 in 2012); within this category, the most significant decrease occurred in Theft From Motor Vehicles, which decreased 33.7% (265 offenses in 2013 compared to 400 in 2012). Other areas worth noting that decreased are Fraud, which had an overall decrease of 12.2% (309 offenses in 2013 compared to 352 in 2012), but specifically, Credit Card Fraud saw the most significant decrease of 31.9% (96 offenses in 2013 compared to 141 in 2012); Vandalism decreased 29.2% (578 offenses in 2013 compared to 817 in 2012) and Robberies decreased by 21% (15 offenses in 2013 compared to 19 offenses in 2012).
Areas that saw an increase during 2013 were Weapons Law Violations, which increased by 54% (57 offenses in 2013 compared to 37 in 2012); Pornography/Obscenity offenses increased 22.2% (22 offenses in 2013 compared to 18 in 2012); Burglary had a slight increase of 3.2% (322 offenses in 2013 compared to 312 in 2012) and Theft of Motor Vehicle cases increased 1.8% (112 offenses in 2013 compared to 110 in 2012). Drug violations increased by 12% (616 offenses in 2013 compared to 550 in 2012) and Drug Paraphernalia violations increased by 7.48% (575 offenses in 2013 compared to 535 in 2012).
For the more serious Group A offenses the crimes per capita for Personal Crimes is 16.6 crimes per 1,000 people (down from 18.8 per 1,000 in 2012) and the crimes per capita for Property Crimes is 63.6 crimes per 1,000 people (down from 72.3 per 1,000 in 2012).
Bismarck Police officers responded to a total of 34,146 calls for service in 2013 compared to 36,216 in 2012, which is a 5.7% decrease; however, in 2011 and 2012 calls for service had increased a total of 14.2% compared to 2010. Calls for service for 2013 are 2.58% above the 5 year average. Of these 34,146 calls for service, 3,554 were calls received through 911.
Officers issued 14.5% more traffic citations in 2013 (16,390 citations in 2013 compared to 14,308 in 2012). Officers arrested 514 adult drivers plus six juvenile drivers for DUI, and investigated 3,985 motor vehicle crashes, which is a 6.3% increase compared to the 3,747 crashes in 2012. These 3,985 vehicle crashes caused no fatalities, 654 injuries, and an estimated $13,779,388 in property damage. There were 7,898 parking citations issued in 2013 compared to 8,617 in 2012 reflecting an 8.3% decrease, these include those issued in the downtown business area.
It is important to remember when discussing crime statistics; these statistics represent persons within our community who have been victimized. Although thefts from motor vehicles decreased and motor vehicle thefts had a slight increase, we remain very concerned with the significant numbers in some categories of crimes against property. Many of these crimes such as burglaries, thefts from motor vehicles, and motor vehicle thefts are crimes of opportunity. We strongly encourage all residents to take appropriate measures to safeguard their property, which includes locking homes, closing garage doors, removing valuables and keys from their vehicles and ensuring vehicles are locked. We also continue to collaborate and work closely with the Abused Adult Resource Center (AARC) to address the issues of sexual assault and domestic violence.
The Bismarck Police Department is committed to providing the best service possible to those who have been a victim of crime and working in partnership with the community to continue to reduce the incidence of crime and maintain Bismarck’s status as an extremely safe community in which to live.
