Ferndale property crimes down slightly, violent crime up slightly

The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program has released its crime numbers for 2009. Compared to 2008, Ferndale was slightly more dangerous in 2009 and the population of the city decreased by about 48 from 21,056 to 21,008. According to the FBI's numbers, the population has decreased slightly every year since 2005.

Violent crimes increased slightly from 88 to 91 and property crimes decreased from 739 to 674. This is down from a five-year high of 119 violent crimes in 2006 and 771 property crimes, also in 2006. Four murders have been reported in the city in the last five years, one each year except in 2006, when there were none. Robberies dropped, from 34 to 25 in 2009. Aggravated assaults increased; 49 in 2008 and 57 in 2009.

As for property crimes, larceny/theft made up most of the 674 property crimes with 413 larceny/theft crimes being reported in 2009. That represents a decrease of 29 compared to 2008. Burglaries were down slightly from 156 to 151. Motor vehicle thefts were down to 110 from 141. Lastly, arsons increased quite a bit, going from two in 2008 to nine in 2009.

Sources:

http://www.detnews.com/article/20100913/SPECIAL01/100913001?appSession=813260625221159