INC NEWS - Durham Crime Comparative Updated

[RW Pickle]

>From DCVB
RWP
27 Beverly

Durham Crime Comparative Updated


(DURHAM, N.C. - Nov. 14, 2005)  The 2004 Durham Crime Comparative
released this week shows that crime in Durham is at or below the average
in the majority of crime categories when Durham as a City and as a
City-County are compared to two cohorts.


Produced and disseminated by the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau
(DCVB) on behalf of the 10-organization Durham Public Information &
Communications Council, the crime rates of Durham both as a City and as
an overall City-County are compared to nine other communities in the
Southeast and then expanded to 29 communities nationwide. The same
communities have been tracked for the past decade because of their
similarity to Durham in size and makeup.


The crime and population information are compiled from Uniform Crime
Report numbers for several reasons:

*         To provide perspective both to residents and potential
newcomers.

*         Aid the news media in providing perspective to otherwise
anecdotal references too easily skewed to the sensational.

*         Help officials calibrate deployment of crime prevention assets
and programs by clarifying where crime in Durham is unique and where it
isn't.

*         Help opinion leaders re-inform those who trade in negative
word of mouth and exaggeration, which serve no useful purpose and
undermine Durham.


"The data is not to be used as an apology or excuse or to lessen
intensity in the effort to drive crime ever lower," said DCVB president
Reyn Bowman. "This information is compiled to empower residents,
newcomers, and opinion leaders when faced with misperceptions about
crime."


When compared to nine other southeast communities, both the City and
City-County combined are considerably below average in several crime
types, including aggravated assault, forcible rape, and motor vehicle
theft, as well as overall violent crime and overall property crime.


In addition, the City and City-County are both well below the 29-city
national average in aggravated assault, forcible rape, larceny, and
motor vehicle theft, as well as overall violent crime and overall
property crime.


When comparing crime types homicide, robbery, and burglary, Durham city
and city-county combined are either near or slightly above both the
Southeast and nationwide averages.


The complete report, which is encouraged to be shared with others, can
be found at: http://www.dcvb-nc.com/cr/04_crime_comparison.pdf