Crime Creeps Up In Bethesda Police District

Police investigating a robbery (file photo)Total crime is up almost 8 percent this year in the police district that covers Bethesda, Chevy Chase and North Bethesda.

Year-to-date crime statistics to be discussed at a Council Public Safety Committee session on Thursday morning show Part I crime is up 5 percent countywide.

The Public Safety Committee is expected to ask how new staffing methods — such as the addition of District Community Action Teams to each police district — are impacting crime and about the timeline for implementing new staffing patterns brought about by this year’s budget.

In the 2nd District, headquartered in downtown Bethesda, the District Community Action Team’s seven officers arrested three suspects in June either driving stolen cars or attempting to steal a car. Capt. David Falcinelli said the officers can concentrate in areas that have seen upticks in crime since they aren’t tied to the traditional system of responding to calls in specific sectors.

Nonetheless, crime in 2014 compared to this point in 2013 is up, thanks in large part to 42 aggravated assaults (compared to 19 at this point last year) and 1,733 cases of larceny (compared to 1,648 cases at this point last year). Larceny covers shoplifting and theft from vehicles, one of the most common crime incidents in the 2nd District.

Auto theft is up 28 percent, with 87 cars reported stolen this year compared to 68 at this point last year. Burglaries are up slightly, 3.28 percent.

Across the county’s six police districts, Part I crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and larceny) are also up 5.40 percent after a 7 percent decline in 2013 compared to 2012.

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