It was a mixed year for crime in Evanston last year. Three of eight index crime categories saw increases, while four others saw declines.
It was a mixed year for crime in Evanston last year. Three of eight index crime categories saw increases, while four others saw declines.
Figures released by the Evanston Police Department show that the only crime category that rose above the decade-long median was aggravated assault and battery, which increased from 127 incidents in 2007 to 164 in 2008 — compared to a median of 146.5 for the decade.
In the other violent crime categories, the number of robberies declined from 141 to 125, criminal sexual assault cases dropped from 12 to 8 and murders were unchanged at 2.
But because of the increase in assaults, the total for all violent crimes was up 6 percent from 2007.
In the property crime categories, there was a dramatic drop in burglaries, from 861 to 638. But that was partially offset by an increase in thefts from 1827 to 1963.
Arson cases rose from zero to 12 last year, but stayed below the decade-long median of 14. Motor vehicle thefts declined from 137 to 126.
Property crimes, which make up 90 percent of all index crimes reported in Evanston, declined 3 percent in 2008 from the year before.
The total of all index crimes declined by 2.2 percent.