2016 FBI Report: Violent Crime Increases Slightly In The Chathams

CHATHAM, NJ — Violent and property crime rose slightly in the Chathams in 2016, according to the newly released FBI crime statistics.

In 2016, there were six violent crimes in the Chathams, up from just one in 2015 (a rape in the township). There were two robberies and four aggravated assaults; there were no murders or rapes in 2016.

Property crime was also up, with 85 reported crimes (in 2015, there were 71 reported property crimes). The bulk of that crime was larceny-theft, with 10 burglaries and seven car thefts. There were no arsons in either 2015 or 2016. You can see a full breakdown of crime in the Chathams below.

The information comes from the FBI’s annual report Crime in the United States. The publication is a statistical compilation of offense, arrest, and police employee data reported by law enforcement agencies voluntarily participating in the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, according to the FBI.

Nationally, the FBI said the 2016 statistics showed an increase in the estimated number of violent crimes, with a 4.1 percent rise when compared with 2015 data. Nationally, property crimes dropped 1.3 percent.

The 2016 statistics show the estimated rate of violent crime was 386.3 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants nationally, and the estimated rate of property crime was 2,450.7 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants. The violent crime rate rose 3.4 percent compared with the 2015 rate, and the property crime rate declined 2.0 percent.

The UCR Program report for 2016 included information from 16,782 agencies across the country, out of 18,481 city, county, university and college, state, tribal, and federal agencies eligible to participate, the FBI said.

Chatham Borough

• Population: 8,954
• Violent crime (total): 3
• Murder: 0
• Rape: 0
• Robbery: 1
• Aggravated Assault: 2
• Property Crime (total): 43
• Burglary: 6
• Larceny-Theft: 33
• Motor Vehicle Theft: 4
• Arson: 0

Chatham Township

• Population: 10,555
• Violent crime (total): 3
• Murder: 0
• Rape: 0
• Robbery: 1
• Aggravated Assault: 2
• Property Crime (total): 42
• Burglary: 4
• Larceny-Theft: 35
• Motor Vehicle Theft: 3
• Arson: 0

Image via Morguefile

With reporting by Karen Wall (Patch Staff)