Crime Rate Fell In Pennsylvania During 2009
HARRISBURG (CBS) -- Despite a poor economy, there were fewer crimes reported in Pennsylvania last year.
Pennsylvania State Police spokesman Jack Lewis says the latest Uniform Crime Report shows the overall number of reported crimes dropped 5.4 percent last year compared to 2008, and he says the number of violent crimes dropped almost five percent as well, reaching the lowest number reported since 2003:
"This follows a national trend. But it seems to go against past trends during which the crime rates would tend to rise during tough economic periods. We're finding, however, in the last couple of years, that crimes of all kinds, including violent crimes, have been declining."
Lewis says murders were down eight percent, robberies down almost seven percent, and motor vehicle thefts have continued their dramatic decline, down 20 percent, likely due to better anti-theft devices.
Even the number of DUI arrests declined slightly for the first time in several years.
Reported by Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio Harrisburg Bureau Chief.
