Violent crimes rise 22%

Amber Willard

GLENDALE -- An increase in reports of domestic violence are a leading

factor in a 22% rise in violent crimes in the city during the first six

months of 2000 compared to the same period last year, Glendale Police

said.

The Police Department on Tuesday released statistics for selected

crimes from January to June that will be compiled by the state Attorney

General’s office with other cites. The six-month report from Bill

Lockyer’s office is due out in mid-September and no information from

other cities was available Tuesday.

Police said the largest increase in a single category -- aggravated

assault, at almost 40% -- could in part be attributed to a domestic

violence intervention program started in December. Aggravated assault is

assault that results in an injury or has the potential to cause a serious

injury.

The program has officers who specialize in domestic violence reports

and are trained to recognize ways to end the abuse, which is often

cyclic, police spokesman Sgt. Rick Young said.

“It may mean that we are encouraging those types of reports,” Young

said.

The increase breaks down to about 10 more assault reports each month

than the same time last year, Young said.

Burglary increased 25% in the same months from 1999 to 2000. Young

said several of those burglaries occurred at the Glendale Galleria stores

and other businesses, adding that the numbers for residential burglaries

are down, although he did not know an exact number.

SELECTED CRIMES IN GLENDALE

January-June, 1999 and 2000

By Number and Percent Change

**Forcible**Aggravated

*Homicide*Rape*Robbery*Assault

1999* 2* 10* 99* 169

2000* 3* 14* 89* 236

% change* 50%* 40%* -10.1%* 39.6%

(The above are grouped as violent crimes, with a 22.1% increase over the same types of crimes reported during the same time in 1999.)

**Vehicle*Larceny-

*Burglary*Theft*Theft*Arson

1999* 348* 376* 1,668* 18

2000* 438* 359* 1,290* 25

% change* 25.9%* -4.5%* --22.7%* 38.8%

(Burglary and Vehicle Theft are grouped as property crimes, with a

10.1% increase over the same types of crimes reported during the same

time in 1999. Larceny-theft and arson are grouped as miscellaneous crimes

and the increase information was not available.)