Read about CRP's current activities and research in central Ohio and beyond. Click on one of the recent news items below, search by keyword, or choose a number or letter in the grey box.
To view the listing by date of articles mentioning CRP or related to CRP work, click here.
Columbus Bucks National Crime Trends
Thursday, June 24, 2010
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Researchers at Columbus-based Community Research Partners said on Thursday a new report shows central Ohio's crime trends are different than the rest of America.
The Sharon Woods neighborhood, on the city's north side, has a block watch program more than 50 members strong, 10TV's Lindsey Seavert reported.
"I think we are on alert all year here," said homeowner John Osmond.
Osmond said he and neighbors are watching more closely after several car break-ins during the past two months.
The neighborhood has seen an increase in crime this month, and researchers said that is not uncommon, Seavert reported.
"The patterns seemed different from popular perception," said Director of Community Data Services Jung Kim.
Comparing FBI data to that from Columbus Division of Police records, Kim found that spring is the season for crime in Columbus.
"The big finding is that Columbus has the most crimes in June, and May to a lesser extent," Kim said.
That differs from the rest of the U.S., where crimes typically peak in late summer, Kim said.
"One possibility is that Columbus is a big college town and during the summer it is a smaller city," he said.
The study also examined other crime trends, including which days of the week crimes are most often committed.
Last year, crimes most often occurred on a Friday, and Saturday is the day where people were most often victims of crimes, ranging from assault to robbery to murder, Seavert reported.
Property crimes, like car break-ins and vandalism, happen most often during the week, Kim said.
Sharon Woods block watch members posted the study to their Web site, saying that knowledge is often the best weapon against crime.
"When they see these things they are more vigilant about other things that might be going on," Osmond said.
Community Research Partners said the worst day of the year for crimes against people is New Year's Day. Of the 268 crimes reported that day, nearly half happened between midnight and 3 a.m.
Last year the hours after midnight logged the most crimes against people.
300 E. Broad Street, Ste. 490 | Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: 614.224.5917 ext 106 | Fax: 614.224.8132
Home | About Us | Contact Us