Crime in Lenoir remains low
Serious crime remained a rare thing in Lenoir in 2012, with only 47 violent crimes reported, according to the city’s annual report released recently.
The total number of violent crimes -- murder, rape, robbery or aggravated assault -- was four more than reported in 2011, but fewer than in 2009 (62) or 2010 (54).
For the second time in three years, there were no murders. There was one in 2011, none in 2010 and two in 2009.
In the other categories: There were two rapes, up from one in 2011; there were 17 robberies, up from 15; and there were 28 aggravated assaults, up from 26 in 2011.
Among property crimes, motor vehicle thefts rose by about a third, to 49 in 2012 from 36 in 2011. The most common property crime, larcenies, increased to 654 from 603.
Lenoir Police Capt. Scott Brown says he that in an effort to reduce crime, the department’s Patrol Division is analyzing crimes more to identify trends and help predict where crimes might occur.
Driving while impaired arrests dropped significantly, to 49 from 71 in 2011. Brown says the reason for the drop could be a number of factors.
“It could be voluntary compliance, aggressive patrols, high visibility,” Brown said. “I don’t know the precise answer.”
A total of 2,518 traffic citations charges were logged in 2012, down from 3,345 in 2011. There was one traffic fatality in Lenoir in 2012.