Violent Crime Down in Dunwoody; Property Crimes Increasing

The good news is violent crime is down in Dunwoody for the first half of 2012.

The bad news? Overall, Part 1 Crime - which includes violent crime and property thefts - is up 25.4 percent from this time last year, according to statistics released Thursday by Dunwoody PD.

Dunwoody has had a homicide this year. in his home at Peachtree Place apartment complex in east Dunwoody in late June. Dunwoody Police reported no homicides in 2011.

But, other violent crimes are down sharply. Armed robbery in the city dropped from 26 in the first half of 2011 to 16 so far this year. That's a 38.5 percent decrease. Aggravated assaults are only a third of what they were this time last year.

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Driving the increase in Part 1 Crime overall is an incremental increase in burglary, larceny and automobile thefts for the first half of 2012, according to the report.

Burglary is up to 149 incidents in 2012; a 23 percent increase. Larcenies - which often include thefts from vehicles - are up to 948 incidents; a 30.4 percent increase. Auto theft is up 25 percent.

As always engage here on our Dunwoody Facebook Page.; Leave us follow up tips in areas where you have seen problems that could use some attention from the police. You can also contact me via email at jason.massad@patch.com

One deterrent, say Dunwoody officials, is to avoid leaving valuables in plain view inside your car - making it a target for thefts of valuables and the car itself.

"Please remove all valuables from your car and also call our department when you see something suspicious," according to statement.

Other significant stats? Dunwoody PD has responded to 33,078 calls from January to July, an 82.5 percent increase. Wanted person arrests are also up almost 89 percent.

Readers, who do you feel about the change in crime states. Are the property crim increases encuraging? Violent crime is on the rise? Where do you see this headed. And lastly, where are the crimes going around town with officer resnding to significantly more calls then last year.

As always engage here on our Dunwoody Facebook Page.; Leave us follow up tips and areas where you have seen problem areas that could use some attention.

And while your add it, you want to send us a brief descrition about any crime you've exoerinced around here. We'd like to know, and can keep you anonymous if you wish.