Burglaries were down last year in the City of Valparaiso and thefts were way down.

According to the 2009 report released recently by the Valparaiso Police Department, 599 thefts were reported last year, compared to 700 in 2008, a decrease of better than 14 percent.

Burglaries, on the other hand, totaled 120 in 2009, compared to 131 in 2008, a decrease of nearly 7 percent.

Vehicle thefts similarly fell last year to 37, compared to 42 in 2008, a dip of almost 12 percent.

Increases were reported, however, in certain categories of violent crime. Robberies doubled, from three in 2008 to six in 2009; while assaults increased by around 8 percent, from 184 in 2008 to 198 in 2009.

One homicide was reported in 2009, the same as in 2008. Reported rapes dropped to two last year, from three in 2008. There were three reports of arson in 2009, one more than in 2008.

Valparaiso’s roadways were safer in 2009, as officers investigated a total of 1,653 accidents, compared to 1,795 in 2008, a drop of 8 percent. There was only one fatal crash last year and only one in the previous year.

The most dangerous intersection in the city was that of LaPorte Ave. and Ind. 49, where 26 crashes were reported.

VPD officers conducted 9,123 traffic stops in 2009, in 28 percent of which citations were issued.

The VPD received 27,862 calls for service last year, compared to 26,553, an increase of 5 percent.

Posted 3/5/2010