letterhead

     PRESS RELEASE

MIDDLETOWN VIOLENT CRIME CONTINUES TO DROP
December 8, 2009

 The City of Middletown Police Department has had a 19% decrease in violent crime through the first 11 months of this year while the amount of arrests have increased 10%.

Murder is down 80% (one this year compared to five in 2008), Rapes are down 36% (seven this year compared to 11 last year) while robberies are down 22% (53 this year compared to 68 last year). In addition Residential Burglary has dropped 8% while Commercial Burglary is down 16%.

Middletown has outpaced the rest of the state where violent crime is down only 1% outside of New York City in the latest figures issued by the Division of Criminal Justice Services.

“This continued drop in crime shows that crime analysis, increased enforcement and effective community policing work,” said Lt. Paul Rickard. “By analyzing crime we are able to direct officers to the most needed areas of the city. All of the officers deserve credit for helping to improve the quality of life for residents of the city.”

The increase in arrests over last year continues. There have been 2998 arrests through November 30 this year compared to 2726 in 2008 and 2276 in 2007. These arrest numbers continue to reflect the highest totals in Middletown since the 1980’s. The department has issued 5843 Uniform Traffic Tickets already an all time high. Even with enforcement at all time highs the department continues with its community policing efforts. Earlier this year the department expanded its community policing efforts. In June police expanded downtown patrols and initiated a neighborhood enhancement officer.

“The extra patrols in the neighborhoods have been a benefit”, said Rickard. “The department believes that community policing combined with proactive arrests and traffic enforcement is the key to continuing the drop in crime.”

The City of Middletown Police Department, which is the second largest police department in Orange County, started serving the residents of Middletown in 1888.