FREDERICK POLICE DEPARTMENT
100 West Patrick Street
Frederick, MD 21701
301-600-2100
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 10, 2008

Crimes reported to the Frederick Police Department during 2007 registered a decline from the previous year. Last year’s reported crime total of 2225 incidents shows a decrease of 35 events or 1.5 percent from 2006. Five of the previous six years have registered a decrease in the total number of crimes reported in Frederick.

Crimes against persons decreased by 19.4 percent, registering its lowest number in fifteen years, while crimes against property increased by 3.8 percent.

Six homicides occurred in Frederick City during 2007. Five were classified domestic murders, with the sixth deemed negligent homicide.

Certain property crimes increased and are particularly notable when compared with their five-year averages. Theft crimes increased by 2.8 percent above the theft five-year average. Vehicle Theft scored 15 events or 15.4 percent above its five-year average.

Reported rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, and burglaries were either at or below their individual five-year averages. Robberies decreased during 2007 from its five-year average by 17.5 percent, aggravated assaults by 31.2 percent, and non-residential burglaries by 18.5 percent.

Frederick Police Chief Kim C. Dine stated, “The statistics of the past six years show that our community policing, problem solving system is effective when combined with the key component of aggressive policing. The professional men and women of this agency deserve high praise for another successful year of providing both police services and effective crime fighting; especially with the continued growth of the city’s population and its development in downtown and outlying areas.”

“We also applaud the continued cooperation, interaction, and assistance of Frederick’s citizens and businesses who deserve praise for their efforts in the Community. Crime fighting requires trust and effort from the entire community. Without strong citizen input and assistance, these numbers would not be possible,” said Chief Dine.

“Although overall numbers have declined, the increase in property crimes requires continued expansion of this agency’s workload. Our challenge is to maintain Frederick’s high quality of life,” said Chief Dine.

Robberies remain a central focus of the department’s crime prevention and investigatory efforts. Periodic surges in this violent crime remain a focus and concern for all agency divisions. During 2007, the Frederick Police Department arrested 15 juveniles and 31 adults for the crime of robbery.

Reported crimes for the year 2007 compared with reported crimes for the year 2006 are:

For further information, please contact Bill Douwes at 301 600-2797.