Crime 1997 - In Selected California Jurisdictions January Through December
(Preliminary Report)

This report compares preliminary crime counts for 1997 with final counts of 1996 for jurisdictions with a population of 100,000 or more. It is estimated that the 71 jurisdictions which met this criterion in 1997 accounted for approximately 65 percent of the crimes reported in California.

These jurisdictions are grouped into the following three categories:

• Police departments, which provide law enforcement services for incorporated cities;
• Sheriff's departments, which provide law enforcement services to unincorporated areas within the county; and
• Contract cities, which are incorporated cities that contract for law enforcement services (usually with a sheriff's department) rather than maintain their own police force.

Data used in this report are not adjusted by population. Statewide adjusted data (rates) appear in the annual Crime and Delinquency in California publication.

CALIFORNIA CRIME INDEX (CCI) offenses are homicide, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and motor vehicle theft. During 1997, the number of reported CCI offenses dropped 7.3 percent when compared with 1996.

CCI
DOWN 7.3%

HIGHLIGHTS

• The California Crime Index decreased 7.3 percent in number.
• Violent crimes decreased 7.1 percent in number.
• Property crimes decreased 7.4 percent in number.

CALIFORNIA CRIME INDEX

Homicide - The willful (nonnegligent) killing of one human being by another. Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter comprise this category.

The number of homicides reported for 1997 decreased 12.6 percent when compared to 1996.

Forcible rape - The carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will. Assaults or attempts to commit rape by force or threat of force are included.

Reported forcible rapes decreased 1.2 percent in number in 1997 when compared to 1996.

Robbery - The taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear.

In 1997, reported robberies decreased 14.6 percent in number when compared to 1996.

Aggravated assault - The unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. This type of assault is usually accompanied by the use of a weapon or by means likely to produce death or great bodily harm.

The number of aggravated assaults reported in 1997 decreased 2.8 percent when compared to 1996.

Burglary - The unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or a theft. Attempted burglary is included.

In 1997, the number of reported burglaries decreased 6.4 percent when compared to 1996.

Motor vehicle theft - The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle.

There was an 8.6 percent decrease in the number of motor vehicle thefts reported in 1997 when compared to 1996.

DATA TABLE

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