Buffalo, NY – Crime rates in the city of Buffalo decreased last year, according to the 2001 annual report issued by the police department.
The study showed a two percent decrease in serious crimes. There were 19,896 crimes reported last year, down from the 2000 figure of 20,247.
However, the number of violent crimes were up by two percent, due primarily to an increase in homicides to 67. There were 19 homicides in May 2001 alone. From 1997 through 1999, the city's homicide rate had fallen each year.
"Last year was an anomaly," said Police Commissioner Rocco J. Diina told the Buffalo News.
Mayor Anthony Masiello attributed the drop in crime to "a combination of good police work and community networking. In many ways our Police Department is proactive (in reducing crime) and not sitting back and being reactive."