County Crime Down 9 Percent

Sheriff Bill Brown released data last week showing crime was down by 9 percent overall from 2013 to 2014. The four murders committed by Nicolas Holzer and the six by Elliot Rodger contributed to an unprecedented homicide rate in 2014, as the county usually averages zero to one murder per year. Violent crimes increased by 10 percent, but there was a reduction in rape, robberies, and motor-vehicle thefts. Nonviolent property crimes decreased by 12 percent. Brown lauded his staff, adding that increases were also seen in calls for service (5 percent), jail bookings (3 percent), reports written (4 percent), and citations issued (10 percent).