Crime down in Grant County, up in Moses Lake

GRANT COUNTY - Grant County saw an overall decrease in crime in 2012, according to the annual report released by the Grant County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday.

Individual crimes fell 10 percent in 2012, from almost 19,000 incidents to more than 20,000 incidents compared to the previous year, with only a 3 percent decrease in total calls for service.

Sheriff Tom Jones said he was pleased to see the decrease in crime, including a decrease in several key categories.

According to Jones, wire thefts were down last year, from 38 in 2011, to 15 in 2012. Weapon offenses were down drastically in 2012, decreasing more than 80 percent.

Vandalism, non-residential burglary and simple assaults also decreased.

"We're just going to continue to work hard to decrease those year after year," Jones said. He added the department was focused on reducing wire and metal thefts last year.

While the report shows a decrease in crime in many areas, auto thefts are at a three-year high, with 96 thefts reported last year, 66 in 2011 and 83 in 2010, something Jones said the department will focus on this year.

Data from the Moses Lake Police Department's annual report for 2012 paints a different picture, although a change in the national reporting system could be to blame.

Chief Dave Ruffin said the newer system, the National Incident Based Reporting System, replaced an outdated Uniform Crime Report system, resulting in changes on how crime data is recorded and a reported increase in many crime categories in Moses Lake.

According to the data, vehicle thefts almost doubled, from 68 in 2011, to 109 last year. Rape reports increased from nine to 19 in 2012. Arson cases increased from two in 2011, to 11 last year. Reports of assault, burglary, robbery and theft also increased.

Ruffin said it's difficult to interpret the data from last year because of the system change.