Modesto's crime rate dropped in 2011

Although the number of homicides increased, Modesto saw a general drop in crime in 2011, according to statistics released Monday.

The data reported to the U.S. Department of Justice show a 4 percent decline in stolen cars and 7 percent drop in other types of theft in Modesto. Burglaries dropped 2 percent and robberies were down 1 percent compared with the previous year.

Modesto had 14 homicides last year, including a triple murder, an increase from the 10 criminal homicides in 2010. Eight of the killings last year were gang-related and two resulted from domestic violence, police said.

Last year, 67 incidents of rape were reported in Modesto, compared with 62 in 2010.

All told, there was a 4 percent drop in what police call "Part One" crime.

Police Department officials presented the numbers to a City Council subcommittee Monday.

Other offenses such as fraud, vandalism, sex offenses and disorderly conduct were down 10 percent in 2011, officials said.

Capt. Gene Balentine noted that the lower crime figures are not unique to Modesto.

"It appears that it's following a national trend," he said. "With everything going on with the economy, you automatically would think crime would be up."

Balentine said the department has seen an 11 percent reduction in crime in the past three years, despite the economic hard times.

Experts were baffled last year by FBI crime statistics showing the lowest rate of violent crime nationwide in four decades. Some attributed the historic low numbers to aggressive policing and the high incarceration rates in the United States, but there was no consensus.

Budget hardships have forced the Modesto Police Department to cut back on staffing. Still, there were fewer local victims of crime last year, the statistics show.

"I wish I knew why," Balentine said. "I'm not going to jump out and say it's one specific thing we're doing."

The statistics do not reveal how Modesto compares with other cities nationwide in terms of auto thefts, a problem that's plagued Stanislaus County for the past decade.

Modesto officials were pleased that car thefts were down last year after a 6 percent jump in 2010.

Balentine said he believes a multilayered approach to battling car theft has been effective. The effort includes a county task force, public awareness campaign, steering wheel lock giveaways, bail enhancements and more concerted prosecution of car theft cases.

He added that anti-gang enforcement is a priority for the Police Department.

"We are dedicating a lot of resources to gang violence," Balentine said. "Those numbers are starting to climb a little bit. We are reorganizing the unit and will do what we can to curtail that."

Bee staff writer Ken Carlson can be reached at kcarlson@modbee.com or (209) 578-2321.