The City of Des Moines has announced a dramatic drop in crime for the year 2009.

Staffers say the decrease is the reflection of an intensive strategic effort to counter criminal activity that began with levy lid lift funding in May 2006. The reduction stands in direct contrast to a rise in the Part 1 Crime Rate totals for all of King County.

"The citizens of Des Moines are getting their money's worth," commented Mayor Bob Sheckler. "They gave the city a mission, and our officers have steadily accomplished it."

Officers reported the success came as the result of commitment to a nine-part strategic plan for 2009, that included new equipment and technology, officers assigned to specific geographic areas (systemic problem locations), an officer assigned to crime analysis, strengthened interlocal partnerships, and ongoing training.

Statewide and nationally, a vast majority of law enforcement agencies report the number of specific crimes to the FBI as part of a national program known as the "Uniform Crime Report" publication. The Crime Index is composed of eight specific criminal offenses. These crimes are chosen to serve as indicators of the nation's crime experience because of their seriousness, frequency of occurrence, and the likelihood of reports being made.

The number of reports submitted by the Des Moines Police Department for the one year period from 2008 to 2009 reflects an overall reduction of just over 13.7 percent in the Part I Crimes Index.

Per the Crime Index, the violent crimes of homicide, aggravated assault, forcible rape, and robbery were down 2.6 percent. Property crime totals, measuring arson, burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft were down 14.9 percent. The report shows percentages for these same crimes over the same time period is up an average of 5.9 percent for all of King County.

Below are Part I Crime Index results for surrounding cities during the same time period:

Des Moines Rate per 1,000 2008- 41.1 2009- 35.4 reduction -13.9 percent
Total Part 1 Crimes 1,200 1,036 reduction -13.7 percent

Kent Rate per 1,000 2008- 59.9 2009- 49.1 reduction - 18 percent
Total Part 1 Crimes 5,210 4,342 reduction - 16.7 percent

Auburn Rate per 1,000 2008- 58.4 2009-53.5 reduction - 8.3 percent
Total Part 1 Crimes 3,911 3,613 reduction - 7.6 percent

King Co. S.O. Rate per 1,000 2008- 22.5 2009- 20.8 reduction -7.7 percent
Total Part 1 Crimes 7,693 7,143 reduction - 7.1 percent

SeaTac Rate per 1,000 2008- 65.1 2009- 62.3 reduction - 4.4 percent
Total Part 1 Crimes 1,675 1,602 reduction - 4.4 percent

Federal Way Per 1,000 2008- 55.5 2009- 55.5 No change 0.0 percent
Total Part 1 Crimes 4,885 4,915 increase + 0.6 percent

Burien Rate per 1,000 2008- 53.2 2009- 53.8 increase + 1.1 percent
Total Part 1 Crimes 1,678 1,715 increase + 2.2 percent

Seattle Rate per 1,000 2008- 61.3 2009- 65.0 increase + 5.0 percent
Total Part 1 Crimes 36,346 39,107 increase + 7.6 percent

King County (Total)
Rate per 1,000 2008 - 45.7 2009 - 45.7 No Change
Total Part 1 Crimes 83,433 88,315 increase + 5.9 percent

Motor-vehicle theft shows the greatest reduction of 23 percent in Des Moines, with a reported total of 161, which is down from the previous year of 209. Burglaries also showed a noticeable decrease, down about 10 percent from 255 to 229. Rape showed a 28.6 percent increase. Eighteen were reported in 2009, an increase from 14 reported the previous year. Arson showed the greatest percentage increase, having doubled from 4 to 8.

So far in 2010, the overall improvement appears to be sustained, with a mixture of increases and decreases in various categories, Des Moines officials noted. January to September of 2010 Part I Crime Rate totals, when compared to 2009 totals for the same months, show a violent crimes reduction of 16 percent. The same comparison shows property crimes up 5 percent. The combined Part I Crime Rate totals are currently reflecting an increase of 3 percent

Crimes are classified into two parts - Part 1 crimes are measured nationally and statewide and are often used as a significant indicator. However, many of the reports and crimes dealt with on a daily basis by the Des Moines Police department (any police department) are not reflected in this statistic (Part 1 Crime Totals). Common crimes not measured include identity theft and other crimes of fraud, common property crimes, violation of court orders such as domestic violence protection and no contact orders, DUI's, traffic collisions, vehicular assaults and vehicular homicide.

Des Moines Interim Chief of Police John O'Leary said, "I am very pleased with the results of the work done by our staff and officers. Significantly when you look at our overall crime rate per 1,000 citizens in contrast to our neighboring communities we fair very well...of course any crime victim is one too many.

"It will be a significant challenge to sustain these reductions and low rates as we contend with on-going budget reductions and the elimination of 11 FTE positions made in 2010, but I know the men and women of the Des Moines Police Department are up to the challenge."