Violent crime numbers down in Columbia

Overall, Columbia saw a 36.6 percent decrease in violent crimes in 2008.

By Cole Mather

Published March 2, 2009

Violent crime rates in Columbia have decreased throughout the last year.

Crime rates are at a low for 2008 in Columbia, according to the Columbia Police Department Web site.

In 2007, there were three homicides committed in Columbia, 30 rapes, 141 robberies and 443 assaults. There were five homicides in Columbia in 2008, in addition to 19 rapes, 138 robberies and 230 assaults.

Overall, Columbia saw a 36.5 percent decrease in violent crimes during the past year, according to the CPD Web site.

CPD Sgt. Brian Richenberger said the difference between the number of offenses and arrests is due to suspects not always being caught.

Despite the increase in the city's homicide rate, police officers say Columbia is still safe.

"Columbia is just as safe as any other city its size," Richenberger said.

So far there has been one homicide in the city in 2009.

CPD said the department focused more on eliminating violent crimes in 2008, which might explain the decrease. The department created a new work schedule for officers, a new Street Crimes Unit and began focusing on problem areas where crimes were happening, a CPD news release stated.

CPD's clearance rate for violent crimes was also at or above the national average.

Violent crimes are not very prominent on MU's campus, according to the MU Police Department.

"Violent crimes are not something we here at MUPD typically deal with," MUPD Capt. Brian Weimer said. "For the most part, the University of Missouri campus has very low crime rates."

Weimer said at most, the campus sees roughly 10 violent crimes per year.

A variety of things could be classified as violent crimes, including fights, robberies and aggravated types of behavior, Weimer said.

Violent crimes in Missouri are characterized under four categories: homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, according to violent crime statistics listed on MUPD's Web site.

In 2007, there were 365 murder offenses, 1,500 rape offenses, 6,202 robbery offenses and 18,959 aggravated assault offenses for Missouri, according to the Web site.

Even though there were 18,959 aggravated assault offenses in 2007, only 10,256 arrests were actually made, according to the Web site.

Homicide is the only category with more arrests made than documented offenses. There were 365 murder offenses in 2007, with 391 murder arrests for Missouri.