MARYLAND CONTINUES HISTORIC REDUCTION IN CRIME

Maryland’s total incidents of crime and total crime rate lowest since 1975
Violent crime, homicides and property crime driven down to the lowest rates since 1975ANNAPOLIS, MD – State officials announced that 2012 year-end crime data compiled by the Maryland State Police and submitted to the FBI for use in the national crime statistics report shows that violent crime, homicides and property crime in Maryland have been driven down to the lowest rates since 1975. Total crime has been driven down 2.9% since 2011, with 5,701 fewer crimes reported. This marks the lowest number of total crimes and total crime rate ever reported in Maryland since the Uniform Crime Reporting program was adopted in 1975.

“Our most solemn obligation is to protect the public’s safety,” said Governor O’Malley. “We've lost too many moms and dads, sons and daughters this year, so we know there's still more work to do. But we should honor the hard work, commitment, and dedication of local, state, and federal law enforcement officials—and community and neighborhood leaders across the State—that drove down crime last year to its lowest levels in recorded history.”

In 2012, together with the hardworking members of Maryland’s law enforcement, the State drove down the number of homicides by 6.5 percent; robberies by 1.6 percent; aggravated assaults by 3.4 percent; incidents of breaking and entering by 6.4 percent; larceny/theft by 1.0 percent; and motor vehicle thefts by 9.8 percent. Rapes increased slightly by 3.3 percent. Eighteen jurisdictions drove down total crime while 14 jurisdictions drove down specific violent crime categories such as homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Eighteen jurisdictions drove down property crimes such as breaking and entering, larceny/theft, and motor vehicle theft.