The Bismarck Police Department presents its 2015 Crime and Traffic Analysis Report. The report contains a summary of the incidence of crimes, Calls for Service (CFS), and traffic related statistical information.
Statistical information concerning the incidence of crimes is primarily divided into Group A offenses which include the more serious personal and property crimes; Group B offenses which include misdemeanor crimes; and miscellaneous offenses. Serious crimes, identified as the Group A offenses, increased by 25.76% in 2015 in comparison to 2014 and Group B offenses increased by 5.07% in comparison to 2014.
In the previous two years the more serious Group A offenses involving crimes against Persons experienced an overall decrease of 19.4% (-8.5% in 2013 and -10.9% in 2014); however, 2015 shows a 25.76% increase from 2014. Aggravated Assaults decreased for the third year in a row, this time by 9% (120 offenses compared to 132 in 2014); however, Simple Assaults saw an increase of 30% (796 offenses compared to 612 in 2014). Sexual Assaults increased by 35.7% in 2015.
The more serious Group A offenses involving crimes against Property experienced an overall 25.4% increase in 2015 compared to 2014. Notable increases in this category include Prostitution cases which increased by 271% (26 offenses compared to 7 in 2014), Possession of Stolen Property cases increased 182% (65 offenses compared to 23 in 2014), Theft From Motor Vehicles increased 125% (571 offenses compared to 254 in 2014), Robbery cases increased 64% (23 offenses compared to 14 in 2014), Burglary increased by 62.6% (348 offenses compared to 214 in 2014), Pornography/Obscenity increased 39% (39 offenses compared to 28 in 2014), Shoplifting increased 32% (603 offenses compared to 456 in 2014), Fraud cases increased 29.5% (504 offenses compared to 389 in 2014), and Motor Vehicle Theft increased by 22% (154 offenses compared to 126 in 2014). Drug violations continue to rise with Paraphernalia violations increasing by 12% (734 offenses compared to 655 in 2014), Drug violations increasing by 5.4% (736 offenses compared to 698 in 2014).
The only area we experienced a decrease in occurrence is Credit Card Fraud, which decreased by 22% (98 offenses compared to 126 in 2014).
The Personal Crimes for serious Group A Offenses per capita is 17.5 crimes per
1,000 people. This is an increase of 22.38% compared to 2014. The Property Crimes for serious Group A Offenses per capita is 81.3 crimes per 1,000 people, which is an increase of 22.07% from 2014. Burglaries per dwelling/business for 2015 increased 62.62% compared to 2014.
Bismarck Police officers responded to a total of 37,233 CFS in 2015 compared to 34,130 in 2014, which is a 9.1% increase. CFS for 2015 are above the 5 year average by 6.6%. Of the 37,233 CFS, 5,704 were calls received through 911, which accounts for a 46% increase of 911 CFS from 2014.
Officers issued 5% less traffic citations in 2015 than in 2014 (14,831 citations in 2014 compared to 15,623 in 2014). Officers arrested 508 adult drivers plus five juvenile drivers for DUI, and investigated 3,724 motor vehicle crashes, which is a 2.6% decrease compared to the 3,824 crashes in 2014. These 3,724 vehicle crashes included two fatalities, 231 injuries, and an estimated $14,529,190 in property damage. There were 11,845 parking citations issued in 2015 compared to 15,188 in 2014 reflecting a 22% decrease, these include those issued in the downtown business area.
It is important to remember when discussing crime statistics that these statistics represent persons within our community who have been victimized. 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 include 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 to continue to reduce the incidence of crime and maintain Bismarck’s status as an extremely safe community in which to live.