Thefts push Peachtree City crime rate up 10%
Peachtree City crime statistics for 2017 show a 10 percent increase in serious crimes, with the vast majority of those being related to thefts.
Part I crimes include the more serious offenses such as aggravated assault, burglary, forcible rape, homicide, arson, theft, motor vehicle theft and robbery.
There were 580 Part I crimes in the city during 2016, compared to 637 in 2017, representing a 10 percent increase. Of those, approximately 81 percent were related to thefts.
During 2017 there were 77 vehicle thefts, with golf cart thefts accounting for a large majority of that total.
Also during 2017, there were 25 burglaries, seven robberies and three cases of aggravated assault.
The greatest number of Part I crimes occurred in June and December, while the lowest occurrences came in February and August.
Crime statistics for 2017 also tracked property crimes, of which there were 728 compared to 707 in 2016.
Along with 207 thefts in 2017 compared to 227 in 2016, there were 189 incidents of entering auto in 2017 compared to 130 in 2016.
Another increase in criminal activity came with cases of shoplifting, for which there were 117 in 2016 and 122 in 2017.
Last year also came with a significant increase in the theft of golf carts. There were 27 golf cart thefts in 2016 compared to 64 stolen in 2017.
Other statistical data from 2017 showed 322 domestic disputes and 48 cases of simple assault or battery, which represented a decrease from 65 cases in 2016.
There were 947 roadway accidents in 2017, of which 166 involved injuries, including two fatalities. That compares to 932 accidents in 2016, with 205 including injuries.
Also related to traffic accidents, the largest number of accidents, a total of 89 during 2017, occurred at the intersection of Ga. highways 54 and 74.
Rounding out the top 10 accident locations were roadways intersecting highways 54 or 74.
Fayetteville reports fewer serious crimes in 2017
A review of Fayetteville Police Department crime statistics for 2017 shows that serious crimes decreased by more than 13 percent over 2016. Less serious crimes increased by nearly 19 percent, with many of those representing person-on-person crimes.
Part I crimes are the more serious offenses such as aggravated assault, burglary, forcible rape, homicide, theft, motor vehicle theft and robbery.
Fayetteville data for 2017 showed 502 Part I crimes, down 13.56 percent over the 580 crimes in 2016.
A review of the past 23 years showed the greatest number of Part I crimes in 1999-2003, with a high of 694 crimes in 2000. The lowest number of Part I crimes came in 2009 with 444 incidents.
Part II crimes include offenses such as arson, disorderly conduct, DUI, family violence, non-rape sex offenses, drug violations, vandalism and weapons violations.
Fayetteville data for 2017 showed 664 Part II crimes, up from 537 crimes, or 18.81 percent, in 2016. By far, the largest category increases over 2016 included family violence and other physical assaults, indicative of what some in law enforcement have noted in recent years.
Viewed across the calendar year, November and December came with a higher number of Part I crimes, at 54 and 58, respectively. April had the fewest Part I crimes at 25.
Part II crimes across the calendar year showed a monthly high of 114 crimes in June, followed by 106 in September. April had the fewest Part II crimes at 60.
Tyrone serious crimes up 5%, but still at 10-year low
A report by the Tyrone Police Department tracking crime statistics for 2017 showed a 5 percent increase in serious crimes and a 22 percent decrease in less serious crimes. Serious crimes continue to hover at a 10-year low.
“The truth is, Tyrone is not immune to crime, and we’ve always had, and always will have, major crime,” said Chief Brandon Perkins. “That said, this is still one of the safest communities in the state.”
Part I crimes are the more serious offenses such as aggravated assault, burglary, forcible rape, homicide, arson, theft, motor vehicle theft and robbery.
The annual report for 2017 showed 80 Part I crimes compared to 77 in 2016, representing a 5 percent increase. The bulk of the crimes, totaling 60 in 2017, were thefts.
Aggravated assaults in 2017 increased from three to six over 2016, while burglaries decreased from nine in 2016 to five in 2017. The six robberies in 2017 compared to none in 2016, while the six vehicle thefts in 2016 decreased to two in 2017.
A 10-year comparison of Part I crimes showed 126 in 2008, increasing to 201 in 2011. Part I crimes dropped to 106 in 2012 and have continued to decrease since that time. There were 77 Part I crimes in 2016 and 80 in 2017.
Part II crimes include offenses such disorderly conduct, DUI, fraud, family violence, non-rape sex offenses, drug violations, vandalism and weapons violations.
Tyrone in 2017 experienced a 22 percent decrease in Part II crimes compared to 2016. There were a total of 302 Part II crimes in 2016 compared to 235 in 2017.
In terms of traffic accidents, there were 203 in 2016 and 197 in 2017, representing a 4 percent decrease.
Twenty-nine of the traffic accidents in 2016 had injuries, and one fatality, while 18 had injuries, including one fatality, in 2017.
The top five contributing factors to traffic accidents in 2017 were following too close, failure to yield, misjudged clearance, improper lane change and an animal or object in the roadway.
