Overall crime within the city of DeKalb was down in 2008.

During the DeKalb City Council meeting Monday, Police Chief Bill Feithen briefed the council on the 2008 Annual Police Report.

“Overall, this is an upbeat report,” Feithen said. “We are a safe community, but we’re challenged everyday.”

Part one crime in DeKalb has decreased 1 percent from 2007. This is significant because part one crime is reported to the FBI to determine the city’s overall crime rate, Feithen said. Part one crime includes, but is not limited to, homicide, robbery and aggravated battery and assault, according to the annual report.

“Part one crime is the lowest in four years,” Feithen said.
Although major crimes are on the decline in the city, part two crime is up 26 percent from 2007.

“[Part two crime] includes drug arrests, major vehicle offenses and liquor violations,” Feithen said.
Traffic accidents are down by 21 percent from 2007, Feithen said.

The city of DeKalb has a lower crime rate than the state as a whole.

A violent crime occurs in the state every seven minutes, whereas in DeKalb one occurs every two days. Similarly, in the state, a robbery occurs every 23 minutes. In contrast, one occurs every nine days in DeKalb, according to the report.

Feithen urges residents to report any crime activity even though economic times are hard.
“Don’t feel [the crime] is too small to report,” Feithen said. “We never know what little bit of information will help us solve a crime.”

The 2008 Annual Police Report was dedicated to the late Mayor Frank Van Buer who died in late July after a battle with pancreatic cancer, according to Northern Star archives.

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