Violent Crimes Rise in Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant saw a slight increase in violent crime in 2010, though property crimes here are at a five-year low, according to annual FBI crime reports released Monday.

Across the country in 2010, reports of violent crime fell by 6 percent in 2010 compared to the year before, according to an FBI news release. Mount Pleasant saw an 11 percent increase in violent crime and a 7 percent decrease in property crimes.

The U.S. saw the fourth straight year of declines in violent crimes in 2010, according to the FBI, which releases national crime data each September.

Prior to 2010, Mount Pleasant was at a five-year low for violent offenses. While Mount Pleasant still had fewer violent crimes than it did five years ago, the town saw a marked increase in aggravated assaults as well as two homicides, one more than reported in the previous five years combined.

Violent Crimes in Mount Pleasant
2010: 155
2009: 139
2008: 214
2007: 225
2006: 212

Property Crimes in Mount Pleasant
2010: 1,277
2009: 1,375
2008: 1,411
2007: 1,408
2006: 1,306

Interesting national findings in the FBI report:

Across the country, violent crime offenses were down across the board—the largest decrease was robbery, down 10.0 percent. Property crime offenses went down as well—the largest decline, 7.4 percent, was for motor vehicle thefts.

Most common characteristics of arrestees nationally: 74.5 percent of arrestees were male, and 69.4 percent of arrestees were white.

How often firearms were used in crimes nationally: in 67.5 percent of reported murders, 41.4 percent of reported robberies, and 20.6 percent of aggravated assaults; and

Total losses for victims of property crimes, excluding arsons nationally: an estimated $15.7 billion.

For more information, read the FBI report.