FBI Crime Report 2020: See Trends In Lakewood

LAKEWOOD, OH — Violent and property crimes increased slightly in Lakewood last year, according to data released by the FBI in its 2020 uniform crime report.

The data shows crime went up a little in Lakewood from 2019 to 2020, rising from 61 reported incidents to 64 reported incidents. Police cleared 40 of last year's cases, according to the data. However, crime rates in Lakewood remain below the national average for cities of its size.

"In reviewing the data, the slight uptick in crime in Lakewood between 2018 and 2020 appears to be the normal ebb and flow of crime in any community. Lakewood’s crime rate trends from year to year follow the crime rate trends seen throughout Ohio and the United States, with the difference being that Lakewood crime rates are markedly lower than the state and national averages," Lakewood Police Chief Kevin Kaucheck told Patch.

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The FBI has issued a caution about the crime data coming in at the local levels, however.

Lists comparing cities and counties "provide no insight into the numerous variables that shape crime in a given state, county, city, town, tribal area or region," the FBI said in a statement.

“Consequently, they lead to simplistic and/or incomplete analyses that often create misleading perceptions adversely affecting communities and their residents,” the statement continued. “Valid assessments are possible only with careful study and analysis of the range of unique conditions affecting each local law enforcement jurisdiction.”

Nationwide, the FBI reported an increase in violent crime for the first time in four years. The number of property crimes reported nationally dropped for the 18th year in a row.

Violent crime was up 5.2 percent in 2020 from the 2019 number, the FBI said in a news release. Violent crimes are labeled as homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault; property crimes are listed as arson, burglary, larceny theft and motor vehicle theft.

Among violent crimes, murder and non-negligent manslaughter reports saw the sharpest one-year uptick from 2019 to 2020, at 29.4 percent, the FBI said.

Property crimes — including burglaries, vehicle thefts and arson — dropped 8.1 percent from 2019 to 2020, the FBI data shows.