Crime is Down in Temple Terrace

The has released its semi-annual crime statistics and is reporting that major crimes are down 14.5 percent.

The department saw a decrease in four out of five crime categories, according to the data. The only category that saw an increase is motor vehicle theft.

The data comes out every six months, according to Community Service Officer Tracy Mishler. The most recent percentages represent the time period between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2011.

Here is the breakdown:

• Robberies are down 55 percent
• Aggravated assaults are down 32.5 percent
• Burglary is down 26.5 percent
• Larceny is down 6 percent
• Motor vehicle theft is up 47.1 percent (from 17 to 25 thefts)

Mishler said he attributes much of the decreases in crime to greater awareness of crime issues in the community. Raised awareness reduces the opportunity for crime as residents report suspicious activity.

“I caution that these numbers are encouraging, and I don’t want to down play them, but we need to keep working together to further reduce crime in Temple Terrace,” Mishler wrote in an e-mail to community residents. “Thank you very much for reducing crime in your community.”