Crime statistics for 2014, released Monday by the FBI, show Jefferson City has seen a drop in nearly all of the violent crime categories tracked by law enforcement.
One notable exception was the murder rate, with increased from zero to one from 2013 to 2014.
Other rates declined:
• Rapes went down from seven in 2013 to six in 2014.
• Robberies went down from 36 in 2013 to 25 in 2014.
• Assaults were down, going from 157 in 2013 to 101 in 2014.
• Burglaries went from 235 in 2013 to 166 in 2014.
• Thefts showed a slight decline, from 1,162 in 2013 to 1,134 in 2014.
• Motor vehicle thefts went from 49 in 2013 to 31 in 2014.
• Arsons dropped from six in 2013 to four in 2014.
"We reflect a national trend of reductions in reported crime," Jefferson City Police Chief Roger Schroeder said. "We have been amazingly consistent with our crime rates over the years with only a spike here and there. A reduction this year may bring an increase next year. It's best to look at trends and stay away from year to year comparisons."
"The police department has to be careful not to take credit for decreases or blame for increases," the chief added. "We are a component of the crimefighting picture."
He also said the most important factor is having the public involved in preventing crime by knowing how to protect themselves.
"We put the community action team in place after a 2005 spike, and while I can't trace it exactly, I know they've had a significant impact," he said.
Schroeder said larceny/theft is always the most frequent crime in any jurisdiction and Jefferson City is no different.
"The majority of our crimes are still misdemeanors so we don't want to give the impression that these figures are for all the crimes reported," he said.
While drugs are not the reason all crimes occur, Schroeder said they find that often times assaults, rapes and thefts are done by people who abuse some type of drug.