Crime in Maine drops for eighth straight year Contributed • December 28, 2020
By Judy Harrison, Bangor Daily News Staff
Crime in Maine decreased in 2019 for the eighth straight year in nearly all categories, according to the Maine Department of Public Safety, which compiles statistics.
Reports of crimes overall were down 6.
By Judy Harrison, Bangor Daily News Staff
Crime in Maine decreased in 2019 for the eighth straight year in nearly all categories, according to the Maine Department of Public Safety, which compiles statistics.
Reports of crimes overall were down 6.6 percent in 2019 from 2018.
Violent crimes went up 3 percent from 2018. The number of arsons increased by 39 percent over 2018, rapes were up 15 percent, most likely due to an increase in the number reported to authorities.
Mon, 12/28/2020 - 6:45pm
Crime continues to decrease in Maine for the eighth consecutive year, dropping -6.6% during 2019, according to the Maine Department of Public Safety, in a Dec. 28 news release.
The department released the annual
The total decline during the past eight years is -56.1%. Crime dropped -9.3 in 2018, -8.2% in 2017, -8.7% in 2016, -7.1% in 2015, -13% in 2014, -8.3% in 2013, and -1.5% in 2012.
The 18,468 crimes reported in 2019 represent a crime rate of 14 offenses per 1,000 people in Maine. That number compares to the national crime rate of 25 offenses per 1,000 population for 2018.
The total number of both adults and juveniles summoned or cited by police decreased for 2019.
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Overall crime in Maine fell for the eighth straight year in 2019, but reports of some violent crimes – including rapes – increased, the state said Monday.
Overall, 18,468 crimes were reported by local police in 2019, down about 6 percent from 2018. That means there were about 14 crimes reported for every 1,000 residents. Nationally, that figure is closer to 25 per 1,000 residents, making Maine among the safest states.
Reported rapes climbed 15 percent in 2019, continuing an upward trend that began in 2014. That rise is attributed, at least in part, to increased reporting by victims, although advocates caution that many rapes still go unreported.
The 2019 numbers are the most recent available, and no comprehensive numbers are available for criminal activity in 2020.
Scarborough rape survivor sends heartfelt thank you to police department that helped her 26 years ago
For many, the holidays give us a chance to reflect and be grateful for what we have.
For a Scarborough woman, this holiday season gave her the opportunity to say thank you to the police department that was there for her in every way 26 years ago.Sign up for our Newsletters
“It was completely unexpected,” said Scarborough Police Chief Robert Moulton, of the gift he and the department received on Dec. 19.
For Erin Dupee, though, the gift was long overdue.
“It just, it took time. Everything’s taken time,” she said.
Crime in Maine declined again in 2019, while rape reports increased
Crime trended downward for an eighth straight year, but the number of violent incidents increased, according to statistics released Monday.
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Overall crime in Maine fell for the eighth straight year in 2019, but reports of some violent crimes – including rapes – increased, the state said Monday.
Overall, 18,468 crimes were reported by local police in 2019, down about 6 percent from 2018. That means there were about 14 crimes reported for every 1,000 residents. Nationally, that figure is closer to 25 per 1,000 residents, making Maine among the safest states.
Reported rapes climbed 15 percent in 2019, continuing an upward trend that began in 2014. That rise is attributed, at least in part, to increased reporting by victims, although advocates caution that many rapes still go unreported.