State report: crime declines within city

By John Zucal , Managing Editor
Orange’s level of crime appears to have continued its downward trend, according to recent figures reported by the state police.

Cases of reported criminal cases declined approximately 6 percent between 2007 and 2008, according to the Uniform Crime Report annual report released by the state police.

Reported cases dropped from 1,863 to 1,744 in the city in these two years.
Broken down, only three criminal acts increased when comparing these two years: rape and burglary. Reported rapes increased from 9 to 11, while burglaries went from 448 to 488 cases. Only one crime considered a “bias crime” was recorded in 2008.
Active police work during the past decade has led to a 38 percent decline. In 1999, 2,816 reported criminal acts were recorded.

“Our efforts to reduce crime have been enhanced by the mutual cooperation we have received from the public and city administration,” said John Rappaport. the city’s police director.

Among all violent crimes reported, there was a 16 percent decline, from 391 cases in 2007 to 371 last year. Declines in robberies and aggravated assaults were responsible for most of the reduction.