Friday, March 1, 2013

Overall, the crime rate was up in 2012 compared to 2011 in Wichita.

That's according to Police Chief Norman Williams, who outlined the yearly crime statistics Friday morning.

Homicides were up from 27 to 28 in 2012. Rapes, robberies, burglaries and theft also rose. Aggravated assault and auto thefts dropped.

The statistics show major crimes rose from just over 22, 213 to 24,210 in 2012. Williams says the biggest crime trend is theft.

"These are crimes of opportunity," said Williams. He says shoplifting or stealing items from gym lockers is easy pickings for criminals.

The number of gang related crimes dropped, but the number of aggravated assaults with a weapon by gang members rose.

Williams says the department is going through a reorganization to help fight crime. His officers are also working on better training to deal with the mentally ill in Wichita.

See the full statistics attached above.