FBI Stats Show 2011 was a Violent Year for Carlsbad

The FBI's recent report of crime statistics for 2011 shows a 4 percent drop in violent crimes nationwide and a 0.8 percent decline in the number of property crimes across the U.S.

In Carlsbad, the violent offense rate rose 7.69 percent from 2010. According to the FBI report, the increase came from 26 aggravated assaults in 2011 and four murders. Forcible rapes decreased 45 percent, down nine from 2010. The 2011 violent crime offenses totaled 210 compared to 195 in 2010.

Carlsbad also experienced an 8.24 percent increase in property crime. The FBI said that rate was up across the board with increases in burglaries (69), larceny thefts (62), and motor vehicle thefts (19).

In the city of San Diego, overall violent crime—a category that includes murder/voluntary manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault —decreased 9 percent from 2010, although the number of murders increased, from 29 to 38, according to the federal agency's Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report. The property crime rate dropped 3 percent.

In neighboring Oceanside, the 2011 violent-crime rate was down 4.62 percent, though there were three more murders, 11 more forcible rapes and four more robberies than the previous year. The property crime there dropped too by 1.53 percent. 

To see the full report go to: fbi.gov/sandiego/press-releases/2012/fbi-releases-2011-preliminary-annual-uniform-crime-report

Do you think Carlsbad just had a bad year for violent and property crimes in 2011? What do you think about this report? Tell us in comments.

–City News Service Contributed to this report