EDMOND —
Edmond is ninth out of 432 cities that submit violent crime statistics to the FBI, Police Chief Bob Ricks said.
Each year when FBI statistics are published numerous entities with an interest in crime in the nation use reported figures to compile rankings of cities and counties. The FBI cautions that these rankings, a quick choice made by the data user, provide no insight into the many variables that mold the crime in a particular town, city, county, state, region or other jurisdiction.
Edmond ranks ninth overall among U.S. cities with a population of more than 75,000, according to data released by the EPD. Ricks said Edmond’s ranking is impressive, but being the safest community in its category in the state when it comes to violent crime and property crime is a tribute to the department’s hard work.
“Being ninth out of 432 cities that submit violent crime statistics to the FBI is a source of pride for our department,” Ricks said. “Our men and women work hard to maintain the character of Edmond while we are in the midst of tremendous growth in this city.”
A total of 58 violent crimes — murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assaults — were reported to the Edmond Police Department in 2011: one murder, seven rapes, 20 robberies and 30 aggravated assaults, according to EPD statistics. A total of 74 violent crimes were reported to the agency in 2010, and 95 of these crimes were reported in 2009.
Usually citing an active investigation, the EPD often does not release information on rapes and robberies in response to requests by The Edmond Sun.
A total of 1,651 property crimes — burglary, larceny, vehicle theft and arson — were reported to the EPD in 2011, according to EPD statistics. A total of 1,684 property crimes were reported to the agency in 2010 and 1,790 were reported in 2009.
Other issues affecting Edmond include abuse of drugs including marijuana, meth and prescriptions.
Edmond is located along Interstate 35, a major north-south route, and near I-40, a major east-west route. According to several government agencies via the Edmond Economic Development Authority the city’s 83,000 residents were living in 31,580 households in 2011. Its average household income was $100,670 verses the $73,458 national average.
The Edmond Police Department’s current authorized strength is 116 sworn personnel, according to the agency’s 2011 annual report. That year, personnel responded to 187 calls/contacts per day.
Edmond crime fighting efforts include crime analysis and intelligence, K-9 teams, a school resource officer program, I-35 enforcement, a social host ordinance and collaborating with anti-crime task forces.
A 2011 performance review by the International City/County Management Association determined the Edmond Police Department “is a well-managed police agency, proving premier service to its residents. The rank and file are professional.”
marks@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 108
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