The Bismarck Police Department presents its 2012 Crime and Traffic Analysis Report. The report contains a summary of the incidence of crimes, calls for service, and traffic related statistical information. Overall, crime reported in Bismarck increased by 16.91% (increase of 2,063 reported crimes).
Statistical information concerning the incidence of crimes is primarily divided into Group A offenses which includes the more serious personal and property crimes; Group B offenses which includes misdemeanor crimes; and miscellaneous offenses. Serious crimes, identified as the Group A offenses, increased by 18.46% in 2012 in comparison to 2011. Misdemeanor crimes, identified as the Group B offenses, increased by 7.37% in 2012 in comparison to 2011. Miscellaneous offenses reported the police increased by 58.25% in 2012 in comparison to 2011; however, this increase is skewed as a result of including “criminal traffic” numbers in 2012 into the “Other Traffic Reports” statistical category in this section, which is why there is a 740% increase in “Other Traffic Reports” for 2012.
Crimes Against Persons experienced an overall 19.13% increase in occurrence in 2012 compared to 2011. Within this category, forcible rape increased by 29.41% (44 offenses in 2012 compared to 34 in 2011) and Other Sexual Assaults decreased by 6.67% (70 offenses in 2012 compared to 75 in 2011). Aggravated Assaults increased by 36.04% (151 offenses in 2012 compared to 111 in 2011) and 52% of those were Domestic Assaults. Simple Assaults increased by 16.69% (755 offenses in 2012 compared to 647 in 201), 58% of which were Domestic Assaults. Overall, 60% of the assaults involved alcohol.
Crimes Against Property e
xperienced an overall 18.28% increase in occurrence in 2012 compared to 2011. In this category the most significant increases occurred in Arson, which increased by 125% (9 offenses in 2012 compared to 4 in 2011), Burglary which increased 36.84% (312 offenses in 2012 compared to 228 in 2011), and cases involving Fraud had an overall increase of 35.91% (352 offenses in 2012 compared to 259 in 2011), but specifically, Credit Card Fraud saw the most significant increase of 71.95% (141 offenses in 2012 compared to 82 in 2011). Drug violations increased by 42.86%
(550 offenses in 2012 compared to 385 in 2011) and Drug Paraphernalia violations increased by 64.62% (535 offenses in 2012 compared to 325 in 2011). We experienced a 7.19% decline in Thefts from Motor Vehicles (400 offenses in 2012 compared to 431 in 2011) and Motor Vehicle Theft decreased 9.84% (110 offenses in 2012 compared to 122 in 2011).
Bismarck Police officers responded to a total of 36,216 calls for service in 2012 compared to 32,999 in 2011, which is a 9.75% increase. Of these 36,216 calls for service, 4,858 were calls received through 911.
Officers issued 11.18% more traffic citations in 2012 (14,308 citations in 2012 compared to 12,869 in 2011). Officers arrested 606 adult drivers plus 12 juvenile drivers for DUI, and investigated 3,747 motor vehicle crashes, which is a 1.9% decrease compared to the 3,820 crashes in 2011. These 3,747 vehicle crashes caused 3 fatalities, 606 injuries, and an estimated $12,931,695 in property damage. There were 8,617 parking citations issued in 2012 compared to 7,975 in 2011 reflecting an 8.05% increase, these include those issued in the downtown business area.
It is important to remember when discussing crime statistics; these statistics represent persons within our community who have been victimized. Although thefts from motor vehicles and motor vehicle thefts declined slightly, we remain very concerned with the significant numbers in some categories of crimes against property. Many of these crimes such as burglaries, thefts from motor vehicles, and motor vehicle thefts are crimes of opportunity. We strongly encourage all residents to take appropriate measures to safeguard their property, which includes locking homes, closing garage doors, removing valuables and keys from their vehicles and ensuring vehicles are locked. We also continue to collaborate and work closely with the Abused Adult Resource Center (AARC) to address the issues of sexual assault and domestic violence.
The Bismarck Police Department is committed to providing the best service possible to those who have been a victim of crime and working in partnership with the community in order to continue to reduce the incidence of crime in our community and maintain Bismarck’s status as an extremely safe community in which to live.