Hermiston Police Chief Jason Edmiston will have some good news to report when the city’s Public Safety Committee meets later today.
According to the latest statistics, total crime through the first three quarters of 2014 is down 32 percent from a year ago and auto thefts have dropped 64 percent from this time last year.
And while most categories saw a dip from last year’s numbers, Edmiston said violent crime is up 21 percent from a year ago and robberies have increased by 67 percent from 2013.
Through the first three quarters of 2013, there were six robberies reported compared to 10 this year. There were 14 total reports of violent crimes committed in 2013 compared to 17 this year.
Edmiston said there were several reported robberies that began as shoplifting cases and elevated to the designation of robbery when the suspect used or threatened the use or physical force, which makes it a Class C felony.
“Additionally, in two out of the 10 incidents, the ‘robber’ was known to the victim,” said Edmiston.
In other categories, rape is down from four incidents a year ago to two this year. Incidents of burglary are down 17 percent from a year ago, and total property crime is down 33 percent from last year.
The big drop in auto thefts reverses a trend which saw the incidents of stolen vehicles increase each year from 2010 to 2013. Earlier this year, Edmiston had talked about how stolen vehicles can be stopped most effectively if owners would lock their cars and trucks and take the keys with them.
At the end of 2013, the Hermiston Police Department received 72 reports of stolen vehicles. According to the HPD, 64 percent were unlocked and 60 percent had the keys inside the ignition.
“The majority of the stolen vehicles were crimes of opportunity,” Edmiston said back in February. “The criminals in our area are not smart, they are solely playing the odds that 64 percent of the time the vehicle was unlocked and 60 percent of the time the keys were left inside.”
The Public Safety Committee meets at 4:30 p.m. today at Hermiston City Hall.
More Stories from Northeast Oregon Now:
Kennison Field Voted Best Prep Sports Stadium in Oregon
Gutierrez Highlights Work of Health Foundation
