Executive Summary

Total crime in Baltimore County increased by 2,073 incidents during 2000 compared to 1999, an increase of 2.8%. All of the Part I or "serious crime" categories increased during 2000 compared to the previous year's total, except for Robbery and Burglary, both of which decreased. During 2000, Robbery decreased by 121 cases or -7.1 % and Burglary decreased by 601 cases or -9.9%.

There were 36,194 offenses classified as Part I Crime during 2000. This represents an increase of 331 crimes or 0.9%, compared to the 35,863 cases reported during 1999. Other than 1999, Part I Crime is the lowest reported since 1984 when the current method of recording Part I crime was initiated.

Part I Violent Crime increased by 109 cases (up 1.8%) with 6,176 cases in 2000 compared to 6,067 cases in 1999. Despite being the highest reported since 1997, Part I Violent Crime is below the previous 5-year average of 6,908.

Homicide increased from 30 cases during 1999 to 33 cases in 2000. A single offender, Joseph Palczvnski, committed four of the homicides this year. The number of homicides is above the previous 5-year average of 29 cases. Eleven of the homicides occurred in Essex Precinct; seven homicides occurred in Woodlawn Precinct; three homicides occurred each in Wilkens, Garrison, Towson, and White Marsh Precincts; two homicides occurred in North Point Precinct; and, one homicide occurred in Cockeysville Precinct.

The total number of rapes increased from 188 during 1999 to 238 in 2000, an increase of 50 cases or 26.6%. The number of rapes is slightly above the previous 5-year average of 237. The increase in rapes was heavily influenced by the low volume reported last year. The volume reported in 2000 marks a return to pre-1999 levels. The number of rapes decreased in North Point Precinct, from 35 in 1999 to 22 in 2000 and White Marsh Precinct, from 21 in 1999 to 20 in 2000. All other precincts reported increases with the highest volume changes occurring in Towson, which had 17 more cases, Woodlawn, which had 14 more cases, and Garrison, which had 11 more cases. In 55.5% of the cases, the victim knew the suspect prior to the offense.

The number of robberies decreased from 1,703 cases in 1999 to 1,582 cases in 2000, a decrease of 121 cases or -7.1 %. The 1,582 robberies were below the previous 5-year average of 2,190 cases and is the fewest reported since 1987. The number of robberies decreased in every precinct except Wilkens, which experienced a three case increase from 186 in 1999 to 189 in 2000, up 1.6%. The greatest volume changes occurred in Woodlawn Precinct, which had 37 fewer cases, and in Towson Precinct, which had 28 fewer cases. Decreases were reported in all categories of robberies except residence and highway robberies, which increased from 155 to 164 cases and from 633 to 695 cases, respectively.

The number of aggravated assaults increased from 4,146 in 1999 to 4,323 in 2000, an increase of 177 cases or 4.3%. The number of aggravated assaults is below the previous 5-year average of 4,451 cases. The number of aggravated assaults decreased in Wilkens, Woodlawn, and North Point Precincts. The number of aggravated assaults increased in all other precincts. The greatest volume changes occurred in Garrison Precinct, which had 94 more cases; Towson Precinct which had 45 more cases; and, Essex Precinct, which had 37 more cases. The type weapon category that experienced the only increase was Hands, Fists, Feet, Etc. which increased from 402 to 836, a 434 case increase. However, a portion of this increase may be attributed to a change in the Uniform Crime Reporting guidelines that occurred during the first quarter of 2000. Since then, all choking assaults, regardless of extent of injury, are considered Aggravated Assaults.

Part I Property Crimes increased from 29,796 offenses in 1999 to 30,018 offenses in 2000, an increase of 222 incidences or 0.7%. The Part I Burglary crimes were the fewest number reported since before 1980.

Burglaries decreased by 601 cases (-9.9%), from 6,100 offenses in 1999 to 5,499 offenses in 2000. The number of burglary cases is below the previous 5-year average of 6,896 cases. The number of offenses increased in Towson, Cockeysville, and Parkville Precincts. The greatest volume changes occurred in North Point Precinct, where there were 212 fewer cases (down -22.7%) and Wilkens Precinct, where there were 174 fewer cases (down -23.4%). The value of property stolen during burglaries decreased by -7.8%. from $6,974,809 to $6,427,394.

The number of thefts increased from 20,464 in 1999 to 20,751 in 2000, an increase of 287 cases or 1.4%. The number of thefts is below the previous 5-year average of 23,970 and, other than 1999, is the lowest number of thefts reported since 1989. The number of thefts increased in all precincts with the exception of Parkville, which experienced a 106 case decrease (from 1,435 to 1,329 cases); Woodlawn, which experienced a 100 case decrease (from 2,442 to 2,342 cases); Essex, which experienced a 31 case decrease (from 2,132 to 2,101 cases); and, Garrison Precincts which experienced a 4 case decrease (from 3,302 to 3,298). The highest volume change was in Cockeysville Precinct, which had 174 more cases (up 9.7%). The greatest volume increase was reported in the category of From Auto (Except Auto Parts & Accessories), which increased by 12.0%, from 3,421 cases to 3,830 cases (a difference of 409 cases).

The number of motor vehicle thefts increased by 482 cases or 16.5% from 2,924 in 1999 to 3,406 in 2000. The number of motor vehicle thefts increased in every precinct except Woodlawn, which experienced a 0.6% decrease, from 519 cases to 516 cases. The greatest increases in the number of motor vehicle thefts were observed in North Point Precinct and Wilkens Precinct, which had 140 more cases (up 35.4%) and 118 more cases (up 35.1 %), respectively. Despite the 482 case increase, number of motor vehicle thefts remained well below the previous 5-year average of 4,102 cases.

There was a tendency for certain vehicle makes and models to be targeted in Baltimore County. The following table identifies the thirteen most frequently stolen makes and models during 2000.

Arson increased by 54 cases or 17.5% from 308 reported arsons in 1999 to 362 in 2000. The number of arsons reported is below the previous 5-year average of 369 cases. The greatest increase in the number of cases was reported in Motor Vehicles: Cars, Buses, Trucks, etc. which increased by 28.42% from 95 to 122 and in Total Other: Cross, Timber, Fences, which increased by 29.17% from 96 to 124. These two classifications represent 67.95% of all arsons.

Less serious crime (Part II offenses) increased from 38,901 offenses in 1999 to 40,643 in 2000. This is an increase of 1,742 cases (4.5%) and is slightly above the previous 5-year average of 40,628 offenses. Part II Crime increased in every precinct, except Wilkens Precinct where they remained constant. The greatest volume changes were observed in Essex Precinct where Part II crime increased by 415 cases (up 7.1 %) and in Garrison Precinct, where they increased by 282 cases (up 5.1 %).

Part II offenses that experienced the largest volume increases over 1999 were destruction of property (up 612 cases or 6.9%); fraud (up 301 cases or 42.2%); drugs-marijuana, possession (up 278 cases or 11.6%); tags-lost/stolen (up 225 cases or 56.5%); and, credit card misuse (up 176 cases of 47.8%).

Part II offenses that experienced the largest volume decreases in 2000 compared to 1999 were telephone misuse (down 193 cases or 8.4%); checks bad (down 148 cases or 18.9%); bomb threat (down 86 cases or 42.0%); drugs-narcotics, sale (down 60 cases or 31.3%); and, weapon-possession, gun (down 58 cases or 24.3%).

The number of calls for service increased slightly from 538,454 calls in 1999 to 541,879 calls in 2000, an increase of 3,425 calls or 0.6%. The number of calls for service excluding traffic stops increased from 451,369 in 1999 to 454,034 in 2000, an increase of 2,665 calls or 0.6%. False alarm calls fell by 18.1% from 75,765 in 1999 to 62,031 in 2000, a reduction of 13,734 calls.

Index Crimes
Crime Stats by Precinct
Arrests
Clearances

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Revised November 19, 2002

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