Here Are The Vital Crime Statistics For Durham and Middlefield

DURHAM/MIDDLEFIELD, CT — Connecticut once again saw a drop in crime last year with levels reaching the lowest point since 1967. There were 71,883 crimes reported in 2017, which is a two percent drop from 2016, according to data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting program. The highest year for reported crimes was 1990 with 177,068.

Arrests have also dropped by 41 percent since 2009. There will likely be six percent fewer arrests by the end of 2018 compared to 2017, according to the state’s criminal justice policy and planning office.

Durham had no murders, 1 robbery, 2 aggravated assaults, 6 burglaries, 17 larcenies and 11 motor vehicle thefts during 2017. Out of 37 reported crimes, 4 were solved. Out of $292,492 worth of goods stolen, police recovered $198,500.

Middlefield had no murders, 0 rapes, 5 aggravated assault, 8 burglaries, 12 larcenies, and 4 motor vehicle thefts. Out of 29 reported crimes, 13 were solved. Out of $410,865 worth of goods stolen, police recovered $15,422. To sign up for Durham and Middlefield breaking news alerts and more, click here.

“Over the last several years, Connecticut has had a dramatic reduction in violent crime and projections are showing that this trend will continue,” Governor Dannel Malloy said. “Recently enacted criminal justice reforms, which were supported by experts from both side of the aisle, are showing real results. In fact, other states are looking to Connecticut as an example of smart policy reforms that are having a positive impact.

Connecticut had 105 reported murders in 2017 compared to 77 in 2016 and 115 in 2015. There were 831 reported rapes, 2,819 robberies, 4,431 aggravated assaults, 8,893 burglaries, 7,310 motor vehicle thefts and 47,494 larcenies in 2017.

Connecticut’s crime index is 2005.21 crimes per 100,000 residents. That includes murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft. The U.S. rate is 2,756.15, according to preliminary FBI data.

Connecticut has decriminalized small amounts of marijuana and made other simple drug possession crimes misdemeanors instead of felonies under Malloy’s tenure. The juvenile age for most crimes was also raised.

Connecticut’s inmate population has dropped by 23 percent to 4,097 inmates since 2011 and is on track to cut its prison population in half over the next few years.