Crime Rate Lowest in Decades Across Baltimore County

Crime -- from murder and robbery to theft and rape -- is at a 35-year low across Baltimore County, officials announced.

"The goal has always been not just making people think they're safe but actually making them safe," Police Chief Jim Johnson said.

County and state government officials touted the statistics at a blustery press conference in Catonsville Tuesday.

Crime for the first six months this year, in all eight serious crime categories measured, is down compared to the same time period in 2009, they said.

Across the county: crime decreased in the following categories:
Homicides: down by 44 percent
Rapes: down by 20 percent
Car thefts: down by 22 percent
Robberies: down by 17 percent
Burglaries: down by 7 percent
Arson: down by 17 percent
Thefts: Down by 10 percent

Elected officials from all levels turned out for the press conference, which was held on the steps of the Bloomsbury Community Center on Bloomsbury Avenue in Catonsville.

Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith spoke and shared the podium with Johnson, Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger and Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley. The governor cited the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention as supporting Baltimore county in its crime-fighting efforts.

Smith and Johnson both gave credit to county police, who have worked hard despite tough economic times. Johnson said the department has also been able to maintain a balanced budget.

The crime reductions, while significant, are not unprecedented. Smith noted that crime in Baltimore County for the first half of 2009 was also down compared to 2008.