Dupont Area Violent Crime Steady; Car Crimes Drive Up Overall Rate

From Matty Rhoades

Both violent and property crime were up slightly last month in the Dupont area when compared to July 2010. The MPD crime statistics for Police Service Area (PSA) 208 show a year-over-year (YOY) 6% increase for violent crime and a 12% increase for property crime in July.

There were 35 violent crimes in July in PSA 208 — which covers the Dupont-Kalorama area — compared to 33 in July 2010. On the property crime side, there were 173 property crimes last month compared to 154 in July 2010. All numbers are from the MPD Crime Database.

There were 19 robberies last month compared to 20 the previous July. However, the number of assaults increased from 11 in July 2010 to 16 last month. There were two gun crimes in July 2011 compared to one last July (all were robberies).

 

Property crime rose 12% on a YOY basis in PSA 208 due mostly to a doubling of the number of thefts from autos (“smash and grabs”). There were 56 smash and grabs last month compared to 27 in July of last year.

There were also more burglaries: 15 in July this year compared to nine in July 2010. While there were also more stolen autos, thefts decreased. Full numbers are in the chart below.

Three-Year Trend: 2008 to 2011

What does the three-year trend for the month of July in PSA 208 show (2008-2011)? Violent crime is 84% higher while property crime increased 4%. Total crime — property and violent crime combined — rose 12% for the month of July.

It is important to note that the six-month figures for the January to June period show a different story in PSA 208. Comparing 2008 to 2011, violent crime was down 8% while property crime rose 6% during the January to June period.

Crime in Police Service Area 208: July 1-31
Crime Type	2008	2009	2010	2011	% Change 2010 to 2011	% Change 2008 to 2011
Homicide	0	0	0	0	N.A.	N.A.
Sex Abuse	0	1	2	0	Down 100%	N.A.
Robbery without Gun	6	10	19	17	Down 11%	Up 183%
Robbery with Gun	4	1	1	2	Up 100%	Down 50%
Assault with Dangerous Weapon (no gun)	9	3	11	16	Up 45%	Up 77%
Assault with Dangerous Weapon (with gun)	0	0	0	0	N.A.	N.A.
Total Violent Crime	19	15	33	35	Up 6%	Up 84%
Burglary	8	13	9	15	Up 67%	Up 88%
Theft	69	94	109	89	Down 18%	Up 29%
Theft from Auto	72	50	27	56	Up 107%	Down 22%
Stolen Auto	18	14	9	13	Up 44%	Down 27%
Arson	0	0	0	0	N.A.	N.A.
Total Property Crime	167	171	154	173	Up 12%	Up 4%
TOTAL CRIME	186	186	187	208	Up 11%	Up 12%