The Federal Bureau of Investigation has released its Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report for serious and violent crime for 2012. The report covers “Part 1” crimes that include, murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, auto theft and arson. For the ninth consecutive year, the City of Irvine has reported the lowest per capita violent crime rate for cities of greater than 100,000 in population.
“Public safety is the City’s most important strategic priority,” Mayor Steven S. Choi said. “So, each year, this very high mark is important to us. Because in the commitment of a City to its citizens, everything flows from public safety. I am proud of our Police Department, our other staff and a community that helps each other. I am very happy that 2012 marked the lowest per capita violent crime rate in Irvine’s history.”
In addition to this National distinction, 2012 was also the City’s record low for the per capita violent crime rate. Compiling the total reported rapes, murders, aggravated assaults, and robberies, there were 110 such crimes in 2012. In a City with a population of more than 217,000 that means the per capita violent crime rate was 1 violent crime per 2,170 residents.
According to the FBI, 2012 saw an overall increase in many violent crimes. Murder and non-negligent manslaughter increased 1.5 percent from the 2011 figures, aggravated assault increased 1.7 percent, and robbery increased 0.6 percent. Forcible rape offenses declined 0.3 percent.
Increases in violent crime were most significant in cities with populations of 500,000 to 1 million. There, violent crime increased by 3.7 percent. Small cities fared better. For cities between 10,000 and 24,999 residents, violent crime decreased by 1 percent.
Read the full report by the FBI at their website.