Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Serious crime rate down in borough
Number of Part I offenses in the borough fell 22% from 2016 to 2017
WEST CHESTER » The number of serious, or Part I crimes, in the borough dropped 22 percent from 2016 to 2017, according to the 2017 annual police department report released by Police Chief Scott Bohn.
No murders or arsons occurred in the borough in 2017.
Robbery, assault, burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft are also considered serious or Part 1 crimes.
The number of serious crimes is down from 1,150 in 2000 to 484 in 2017.
In 2017, rape decreased 41 percent, robberies dropped 5 percent, assault was down 6 percent, burglaries decreased by 60 percent, and motor vehicle thefts decreased by 43 percent, from 2016 numbers.
Mayor Dianne Herrin was pleased with the decrease in Part 1 crimes.
“The drop in serious crime in West Chester is a testament to our citizenry, the professionalism and dedication of our police force, and our shared commitment to improving quality of life for everyone,” Herrin said. “Together, we are making West Chester the best it can be.”
The police department documented a 13 percent increase of Part 2 or “quality of life” crimes. This is the third lowest total recorded in 21 years.
Bohn said that far more officers policed the streets in 2017 than the previous year. During 2016, the department was short 11 officers due to retirements and injuries. The department was missing just three officers in 2017.
Additional officers subsequently initiated and spotted more acts of vandalism, liquor law violations, noise violations, public drunkenness
and disorderly conduct.
“This increase is attributed to uniform staffing complements, aggressive enforcement of nuisance crimes coupled with proactive patrol allocations and education, and continued community sensitivity,” reads the report. “These behaviors and associated crimes are directly attributed to alcohol consumption.
“With the popularity of our business establishments and the influx of patrons from throughout the tri-state area, as well as West Chester University, the demands continue to increase.”
Bohn said that West Chester is unified.
“We’re a community of neighborhoods,” he said.
“We have a very vibrant community.
“We host a university of 17,000 students, we are the county seat and an entertainment destination.
“These numbers certainly reflect the good work of the police department and our partners — the downtown business association, borough departments, elected officials and the university community all played a part.”
Bohn talked about the role of residents.
“You cannot police in a community that does not want to be policed,” he said. “Problems and issues will continue to change and we will continue to make every effort to make the public safer.”