Violent Crime, Property Crime Totals Down for Mansfield in 2016: FBI Data

MANSFIELD, MA — New data released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation indicates that the violent crimes known to Mansfield Police decreased in 2016.

According to the latest Uniform Crime Reporting statistics (UCR), there were 39 violent crimes reported in Mansfield in 2016, compared to 60 violent crimes reported last year, representing a 35 percent decrease. The number of total property crimes decreased from 244 in 2015 to 206 in 2016.

That's based on reported offenses documented in the FBI's 2016 Uniform Crime Report.

According to the UCR program, violent crime is composed of murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. Property crime is includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.

Here's a look at the difference in violent crimes from the last two years. There were no reported murders or non-negligent manslaughter crimes reported in either year.

• Rape (revised definition): 5 in 2015, 9 in 2016
• Robbery: 1 in 2015, 3 in 2016
• Aggravated Assault: 54 in 2015, 27 in 2016

Here's how Mansfield's 2016 property crime statistics compared to its 2015 numbers. The FBI does not publish arson data unless it receives data from either the agency or the state for all 12 months of the calendar year.

• Burglary: 55 in 2015, 42 in 2016
• Larceny/Theft: 178 in 2015, 148 in 2016
• Motor Vehicle Theft: 11 in 2015, 16 in 2016

The UCR serves as guidelines for many things, from informing law enforcement decision on budgeting and resource allocation, to informing lawmakers' anti-crime legislation.

However, the FBI cautions against using them as a means of comparing different locales, since there are many factors at play, including but not limited to: population density and degree of urbanization; the number of young people; economic conditions; and family conditions.

Joe Lipovich contributed to this report.

Image: File Photo