Violent, Property Crime Up First Half of 2012

Violent and property crime rates in San Diego County rose in the first half of 2012 compared to the first six months of 2011, the San Diego Association of Governments announced Wednesday.

The region's mid-year violent crime rate rose 8 percent, while the property rate climbed 7 percent in the year-over-year comparison, according to the regional planning agency.

Though higher that last year's mid-year crimes rates, this year's tallies are lower than any year between 2003 and 2010.

It's too early to tell if this year's uptick is temporary or if it's the beginning of a trend, according to Cynthia Burke, director of criminal justice research for SANDAG.

"We have enjoyed historic lows in crime rates over the past decade, so it's not entirely surprising that the numbers are now going up," Burke said in a statement.

According to SANDAG, a total of 5,808 violent crimes were reported to law enforcement in the county between January and June. That's an average of almost 32 a day, compared to 29 per day during the first six months of 2011.

Violent crimes include homicides, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults.

The agency said that of the 33,599 property crimes reported locally in the first half of this year, 63 percent were larcenies, 20 percent burglaries and 17 percent motor vehicle thefts.

-City News Service