Crime & Safety

Watsonville Violent Crime Down 10 Percent in 2012

A new report shows a lower crime rate across multiple categories in 2012 compared to 2011 in Watsonville.

Despite daily reports of law breakers in Watsonville, local crime is trending in the right direction, according to a report released by the Watsonville Police Department on Wednesday

Crime was down three percent overall in 2012 compared to 2011.

Serious crimes per 1,000 residents decreased to 35.81 in 2012 from 37.03 in 2011. That number peaked at over 53 in 2007. Violent crimes decreased from 5.5 incidents per 1,000 residents in 2011 to 4.9 in 2012. 

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Of all violent crime in Watsonville in 2012, about 58 percent was aggrivated assault, followed by robbery (34 percent), rape (6 percent) and homicide (1.5 percent). Domestic violence cases decreased by 10 percent from 2011 to 2012.

The arrest rate was essentially static from 2011 to 2012. Adult arrests increased 1.65 percent while juvenile arrests decreased nine percent. Taking population into account, there were 52.51 arrests per 1,000 residents in 2011 and 52.37 in 2012. 

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Homicides decreased from five to four from 2012 to 2012, but 2013 has already seen three in Watsonville. 

See more detailed statistics below, outlining types of crime and changes from year to year.

Crime 2011 2012 % Change Homicide 5 4 -20 Rape 14 15 7.1 Robbery  92 87 -5.4 Aggravated Assault 170 148 -12.9 Burglary 328 265 -19.2 Vehicle Theft 310 296 -4.5 Larceny 976 1,024 5.9 Arson 11 9 -18.2 Total 1,897 1,848 -2.6 Violent Total 281 254 -9.6

What do you make of these numbers? Do you find any of them encouraging? Tell us in the comments!


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