Crime down in Birmingham

The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program has released the crime numbers for 2009. Compared to 2008, Birmingham was slightly safer in 2009 and the population of the city decreased by about 100 from 19,010 to 18,895. According to the FBI's numbers, the population has decreased slightly every year but one since 2005.

Violent crimes decreased from 21 to 18 and property crimes decreased from 415 to 390. This is down from a five-year high of 48 violent crimes in 2006 and 527 property crimes in 2007. No murders have been reported in the last five years. Robberies dropped by almost half, from seven to four in 2009. Aggravated assaults were the same; 13 in 2008 and 13 in 2009.

As for property crimes, larceny/theft made up most of the 390 property crimes with 300 larceny/theft crimes being reported in 2009. That represents a decrease of 25 compared to 2008. Burglaries remained the same at 70. Motor vehicle thefts remained about the same; 19 in 2008 and 20 in 2009. Lastly, arsons decreased significantly, going from 15 in 2008 to just one in 2009.

Sources:

http://www.detnews.com/article/20100913/SPECIAL01/100913001?appSession=038260623084762