Violent Crimes Down in Murrieta

Violent crimes are on their way down in Murrieta, according to a year-end report released by the Murrieta Police Department.

There were 1,488 part 1 crimes in 2010, down from 1,718 in 2009. Part 1 crimes consist of rape, robbery, burglary, assault, larceny (theft more than $400), and auto theft.

In 2010, there was one homicide (up from zero in 2009), but most other areas fell in numbers. The police departed reported 11 rapes, 33 robberies, 28 assaults, 431 burglaries, 852 larcenies, 126 auto thefts and six crimes of arson.

In 2009, there were 17 rapes, 34 robberies, 199 assaults, 427 burglaries, 881 crimes of larceny, 156 auto thefts and four crimes of arson.

According to a report on the State Attorney General's website, violent crimes in Murrieta were down 7.1 percent from the previous year as of June. A state report showing statistics from July to December was not yet released.

Traffic citations were also down in Murrieta, according to the police department report. In 2009, there were 13,961 citations issued; in 2010, 10,634.

Arrests were down, too. In 2009, the police department made 2,538 arrests; in 2010, 1,874.

There was one fatal traffic collision in 2010; zero in 2009.

Based on a 2009 comparing crime rates nationwide, in the U.S. That same report for 2010 has not yet been released.