Milwaukee Police Announce Crime Decreases in 2010

Milwaukee Police Department
Office of Media and Communications

For the third year in a row, Milwaukee Police Chief Edward A. Flynn announced 2010 crime decreases in Milwaukee showing a downward trend since 2007.

Chief Flynn reported violent crime was down, not just over one year but over a three-year period – a trend the department is building on.

“The big picture remains positive as we continue to strive to create neighborhoods capable of sustaining civic life,” Chief Flynn said, making the announcement with the backdrop of a successful effort in District 7 that combined efforts of police and the community – from long-time residents to school children who organized a neighborhood cleanup.

Chief Flynn also hinted at future MPD efforts, “We will be announcing a bold initiative to reduce violence being committed by criminals.”

Homicides were up in 2010 – the number of arguments that ended in deadly violence coupled with an increase in domestic violence homicides accounted for 20 more homicide victims in 2010 than in 2009. Sadly, two of the three homicides so far this year followed that unfortunate trend of family violence in 2010.

“Clearly some homicides are more susceptible to police intervention tactics than others,” Chief Flynn said.

Some of the highlights from the 2010 numbers released today are:

· Violent crime was down 7 percent in 2010 compared to 2009 – down 23 percent since 2007
· Gun-related crime decreased by nearly 10 percent – non-fatal shootings were down by 9.5 percent
· Total crime was down `10 percent in 2010 from 2009 and was down 19 percent over three years from 2007
· Rape, Robbery, Aggravated Assault all decreased in 2010 from 2009, and markedly dropped when compared to 2007
· Property crime (Burglary, Theft, Auto Theft and Arson) was down 10.5 percent in 2010 from 2009, and dropped 18.5 percent since 2007

See the Crime Data