Crime jumps by 17 percent in 2009 due to thefts, assaults

Due to a large increase in assaults and thefts, crime in St. Charles Parish rose by 17 percent in 2009 when compared to 2008.

The more serious categories of violent crime did drop overall last year. For example, there was only one murder in 2009 compared to four the previous year, while robberies dropped from 31 in 2008 to 23 last year. There were also decreases in rapes (14 to 12), burglaries (434 to 425) and auto thefts (103 to 85).

But while those crimes did fall, thefts and assaults experienced significant increases. Thefts jumped by nearly 200 – from 823 reported incidents in 2008 to 1,016 in 2009.

Assaults also surged from 685 reported incidents in 2008 to 894 in 2009.

According to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, a majority of the assaults involved domestic violence or assaults among family members. The opening of a new Crime Victim’s Assistance Center may have been responsible for some of that increase because it encourages victims to report domestic violence.

After an incident is reported, authorities will go to wherever the victim is located and provide any appropriate services. This can include safe shelter, medical referral and counseling. Representatives from the center also attend public events to promote the reporting of domestic violence.

Thefts were up in a variety of areas, including stolen bicycles, which jumped by 22 percent from 2008 to 2009. Shoplifting also increased by 58 percent, with a majority of the reported incidents taking place at the Walmart in Boutte.

However, most of the thefts that took place last year were items taken from vehicles. During the summer and fall of 2009, there were a rash of vehicle thefts, with 118 reported from May to September. Several of the vehicles were unlocked at the time the theft occurred.

Sheriff Greg Champagne said that a theft and burglary ring was broken up in Luling that was responsible for a large number of those thefts.

Authorities believe that the economic situation, which has caused high unemployment, is a factor in the increase in both assaults and thefts.