Maine overall crime rate declines for 8th consecutive year Follow Us
Question of the Day By - Associated Press - Monday, December 28, 2020
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - The number of crimes reported has decreased the eighth consecutive year in Maine, even though violent crimes grew 3.1%, the state’s Department of Safety reported Monday.
All told, reported crimes dropped 6.6% in 2019, and the continuing decline “speaks volumes to the hard work of our professional law enforcement officers, our partners and, of course, the communities we serve,” Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck said in a statement.
But law enforcement officials are committed to doing even better.
Katy England, Department of Public Safety Mon, 12/28/2020 - 1:30pm
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Crime continues to decrease in Maine for the eighth consecutive year, dropping -6.6% during 2019, according to the Maine Department of Public Safety. The total decline during the past eight years is -56.1%. Crime dropped -9.3 in 2018, -8.2% in 2017, -8.7% in 2016, -7.1% in 2015, -13% in 2014, -8.3% in 2013, and -1.5% in 2012.
The 18,468 crimes reported in 2019 represent a crime rate of 14 offenses per 1,000 people in Maine. That number compares to the national crime rate of 25 offenses per 1,000 population for 2018.
The total number of both adults and juveniles summoned or cited by police decreased for 2019. Adult arrests decreased -3.7% in 2019 with 36,412 arrests/summons reported compared to 37,809 arrests reported in 2018. Decrease of -12.7% in juveniles arrested or summoned reported for 2019 with 2,491 arrests in 2019 compared to 2,852 arrests reported in 2018.