Crime Down From 2011, County Police Say

Index crime statistics comparing the first six months of 2012 to 2011 in areas served by St. Louis County officers show an overall reduction of 12.5 percent, according to a news release from St. Louis County police officer Rick Eckhard.

St. Louis County Police cover Mehlville and Oakville and are based out of the Fourth Precinct on Telegraph Road. 

Eckhard stated violent crimes dropped by 7.2 percent in comparison to last year's figures.

He said 12 homicides were reported in 2011 compared to two homicides this year, resulting in a decrease in murder of 83.3 percent. The release revealed reductions in many other public safety categories, such as:

• The number of forcible rapes decreased 25 percent
• Robbery decreased 11.5 percent
• Aggravated assault decreased 1.1 percent
• Arson decreased by 22.2 percent
• Burglary decreased 28.1 percent
• Larceny-theft decreased by 9.5 percent.

Motor vehicle theft increased by 3.7 percent, however, Eckhard said.

St. Louis County Police Chief Col. Tim Fitch stated he was proud of the county's patrol officers, detectives and support personnel because "this decrease emphasizes their dedication and commitment to the community."

"We have been able to reach and maintain full beat staffing on the street and have implemented several special enforcement programs that were targeted at high crime areas. It is also notable that heroin deaths in St. Louis County have declined from 39 in 2011 to 25 in 2012, resulting in a 35.9 percent decrease compared to last year at this time," Fitch said.