West Bloomfield Crime Reports Down, Quarterly Report Shows

The number of serious crimes reported in the first two quarters of 2011 were less than those reported at this time in 2010 and 2009, according to the West Bloomfield Township Police Department quarterly report.

Submitted to the township Board of Trustees on July 13 and presented to the public at  in , the quarterly report lists a data summary of crimes reported this quarter and compared to recent periods, as well as arrests made, incidents reported and highlighted activities from various sections of the department, among other topics.

While 775 total reports of serious crimes that range from homicide/murder and forcible sex offenses to vehicle theft and embezzlement have been made so far this year, there were 874 at this time last year and 916 in 2009. The number of arrests for serious crimes in the past three years have remained stable, at 151 this year, compared to 147 at this time last year and 159 in 2009.

The amount of serious crimes reported, as well as arrests for serious crimes reported, went up in the second quarter of 2011. Reports of serious crimes numbered 422 in the second quarter in West Bloomfield, compared to 353 in the first quarter. There were 78 arrests made for serious crimes, compared to 73 in the first quarter.

A total of 8,785 incidents have been reported (calls for service) to WBPD so far this year, with jumps from April to May to June. From March to April, a 2.99 percent increase in incidents was reported. From April to May, a 13.23 percent increase in incidents was reported, from 1,375 to 1,557. From May to June, 14.57 more incidents were reported, up to 1,784.

Automobile accidents increased in the second quarter, from 530 in the first quarter to 534 – a 4 percent increase from this time last year.

reported included increased amounts of departmentwide, in-house training in 13 different areas. for residents and officers were also mentioned in the report.

Highlights from the patrol division, investigations division and crime prevention/community relations divisions were also mentioned.

The board offered thanks to Chief Michael Patton Monday for a “robust” report, which trustees Howard Rosenberg and Steve Kaplan said went above what was expected in providing perspective as well as statistics, which may keep crime low in getting information made public.

“I really appreciate what the chief offered us tonight … I know that one reason the crime rate here in West Bloomfield is low is because the crooks know that the West Bloomfield Police Department is very adept. They do talk amongst each other … so they know this one area where if you commit a crime, you’re likely to be apprehended,” Kaplan said Monday.