March 29, 2024
Annapolis, US 45 F

Annapolis Crime Report: 7 Rapes, 4 Murders In 2013

For the fifth year in a row Annapolis crime remains at historic lows. Overall crime increased less than one third of one percent in 2013 compared to 2012, yet violent crime marked a 34 year low.

The Annapolis Police Department follows the reporting rules established by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR). The crimes reported are classified as Part One Crimes that encompass the following: homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft.

Crime reported in 2013 increased by a total of four offenses from crime reported in 2012. Violent crime, which includes homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, was reduced with seven fewer crimes reported. Unfortunately, Annapolis experienced four homicides in 2013, compared to two in 2012. Rape reports also increased in 2013 and while robbery reports increased from 2012, they are sixty-eight percent lower from 2007. Big reductions were made in aggravated assaults, with 23 fewer than 2012, the lowest number since 1979. Property crime which includes burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft increased one percent. Significant reductions of nine percent and twenty percent were seen in burglary and motor vehicle thefts, but there was an overall increase in larcenies mostly driven by an increase in thefts from vehicles.

While not a dramatic change in the overall crime rate, the 2013 crime numbers help focus the department’s efforts to better serve the public. Three out of the four homicides Annapolis experienced were domestic related. To address the rise in domestic related homicides a detective is now dedicated to all domestic related incidents. The detective’s responsibilities include investigating domestic violence reports, reaching out to victims, and improving our coordination with the States’ Attorney’s Office. The goals are to identify and stop offenders before fatal violence occurs and also to strengthen prosecution. For property crimes we recognize that more than eighty percent of the thefts from vehicles reported were vehicles left unlocked. The department plans to increase our education efforts to help the public be proactive and take precautions.

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New police department initiatives like the Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) seek to focus our efforts in crime prevention and problem-solving in neighborhoods disproportionately affected by crime and calls for police service. NET was instituted January 16 and the team is concentrating in the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis communities of Harbour House and Eastport Terrace. Their goals are to work with the community to solve problems, increase positive citizen/police interactions, and conduct enforcement. Using foot patrol as a strategy they will increase police visibility in the community and employ traditional and innovative police work.

Being proud of the continued effort made by the members of the Annapolis Police Department, Annapolis Police Chief Michael Pristoop credits the comparably low crime rate to their continued vigilance and attention to duty. Effective police strategy and motivations along with a high level of community involvement led to 2013 crime levels remaining at historic lows. “Our officers work hard everyday in an effort to make Annapolis a safe place to live, work, and visit,” said Chief Michael Pristoop. “This hard work, combined with effective strategies, has kept crime at historically low rates. We will continue to push and develop new strategies to tackle crime.”

“The Annapolis Police Department’s dedication to our City is evident,” Annapolis Mayor Michael Pantelides said. “I applaud Chief Pristoop and his department’s commitment to the citizens they serve and their ongoing efforts to bolster community outreach, which is paramount to crime reduction and increased public safety.”

Source: Annapolis Police Department

 

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