Crime in Connecticut Down 8.6% in 2013

Connecticut’s overall crime rate dropped 8.6 percent in 2013 compared to the previous year, according to the state’s annual Crime in Connecticut Report.

Gov. Dannel Malloy announced the results at a Monday afternoon press conference.

“The tremendous results we’re seeing in reducing crime are to the credit of the hard-working men and women in law enforcement and the dedicated community leaders that are working day in and day out to reduce violence,” Malloy said. “We have not seen crime numbers this low in more than forty years, and we have a population that is 20% larger today than it was then. Clearly we have more work to do, but these results show that we are making real progress in making our state safer.”

The results come from crime that was reported to the FBI’s Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report.

Violent crime dropped by 10.8 percent compared to the 5.4 percent national average decline. Property crime dropped 7.6 percent, which is higher than the 5.4 percent drop seen on average across the nation.

Overall, crime dropped nine percent in New Haven, seven percent in Hartford and 15 percent in Bridgeport.

There were 86 murders in 2013 throughout the entire state; the lowest in 40 years.

“Connecticut’s statistics are impressive. They illustrate the effectiveness of the comprehensive criminal justice initiatives that we’ve put in place in our municipalities, the State Police, and with our federal partners,” said Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Dora B. Schriro in a release. “But our work is not done. By continuing to work together, we can make all of our streets safer in every community throughout the state.”

Bridgeport, New Haven and Hartford police chiefs said that efforts such as community policing and smart criminal justice initiatives are helping reduce crime, along with the hard work of the men and women in uniform.