DAYTON — Crime in the city of Dayton continues to decline in most major categories, according to first quarter crime statistics Dayton's public affairs department released Monday, April 21.

Overall major crime reports in the first quarter of 2008 were down 13.5 percent from the first quarter of 2007, and the decline in violent crime was 7.3 percent, the department said.

The biggest percentage drop was in the category "commercial armed robbery." The city's report said 28 robberies were recorded in the first three months of 2007, and only 13 were reported in the first quarter this year, a drop of 53.6 percent.

Thefts of motor vehicle parts declined 50.3 percent from 169 in early 2007 to 84 in early 2008. Thefts from motor vehicles, however, saw a 5.8 percent increase from 345 in the first quarter last year to 365 in the same period this year.

The percentage drop in both rapes and attempted rapes and motor vehicle thefts were similar to one another. Reports of rapes and attempted rapes declined from 44 to 31 for a decrease of 29.6 percent, and motor vehicle thefts declined 28 percent, from 371 to 267.

An important category that saw an increase in the first quarter was felonious assaults which rose from 130 in early 2007 to 149 in the first quarter this year, an increase of 14.6 percent. Murders were steady with eight in the first quarter of both years.

In the press release announcing the statistics, Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin credited collaboration among the police department, city residents and the business community for the improving crime picture.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2395 or jcummings@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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