The Topeka Police Department released first quarter crime statistics and they show a decrease in the rates of both violent crime and property crime from a year ago.
From January through March, Topeka experienced 1,400 property crimes, 161 less than during the same three-month span in 2012. 122 violent crimes were reported for the first quarter, 54 fewer than last year.
The city experienced two murders, after seeing one in the first quarter of 2012, and nine rapes, a decrease of one. The numbers did not include the double murder-suicide that occurred in the 700 block of SW Jewell on April 12.
To this point in the year, Topeka has seen 36 fewer reports of aggravated assault/battery and 40 fewer cases of shoplifting. There have been 26 fewer vehicle break-ins, but five more auto thefts. The first quarter of 2013 has seen 17 fewer residential burglaries and 22 fewer robberies of individuals than in 2012.
More crime occurred on the east side of Topeka than on the west side.
78 violent crimes were reported on the east side, a decrease of 46 from a year ago. The west side saw eight less violent crimes, from 52 in 2012, to 44 this year.
709 instances of property crime were reported on the east side, a decrease of 91, while the west side saw 70 fewer property crimes, going from 761 down to 691 in 2013.
