Crime statistics revealed Tuesday morning show some improvements and some down turns for the first six months of 2011 in Grand Rapids.
Among the results announced by Police Chief Kevin Belk:
- Aggravated assaults are down, but those who are assaulted tend to be hurt more.
- Assaults involving police officers are also up, a trend that the whole state is seeing. Officials are unsure of the cause.
Officials say one theory is that when the economy goes down, people go out and drink. They may overdo it and get out of control.
"Although we are seeing a decrease in assaultive and abusive types of crime we are seeing a statistically important increase in the type of injury sustained," GRPD Lt. Pat Merrill said. "So while last year you may have had 100 assaults, this year you might only have 89 assaults. The injuries sustained in those 89 assaults statiscally is becoming more severe."
Officers are also noticing that while kids may get a bad rap, assault offenders tend to be older. Kids only account for about 5% of assault suspects.
These numbers do not include the Rodrick Dantzler shooting rampage that happened July 7.
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