WPD reports fewer thefts, assaults

The number of aggravated assaults fell by 55 percent in 2009 – from 65 to 29. Robberies dropped by 30 percent and thefts fell by almost 14 percent.

Also, for the third year in a row, there were no homicides within the city limits.

Recently released statistics from the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office also showed a decline in robberies, thefts and aggravated assaults.

The BCSO also reported a drop in the numbers of rapes, burglaries and motor vehicle thefts, a decrease not experienced by Winder Police.

While the number of rapes reported to the Sheriff’s Office fell by 14 percent, the Winder Police Department dealt with a 50 percent increase. In 2008, officers handled only eight rape cases. In 2009, there were 16.

The City of Winder also experienced an 8.7 percent increase in burglaries in 2009. The number of motor vehicle thefts remained nearly constant, increasing from 51 in 2008 to 52 last year.

Though 2009 statistics are not yet available for Barrow County as a whole, reports compiled by the Georgia Bureau of Investigations indicate crime rates have fluctuated within the county over the past few years. The GBI collects information from law enforcement agencies across the state to track instances of murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft.

From 2007 to 2008, robberies, aggravated assaults and motor vehicle thefts fell within Barrow County. Rapes, burglaries and larcenies increased. The murder rate remained unchanged.