HOUSTON (AP) - Houston police say violent crimes have dropped in 2010, compared to a year ago.
Figures for the state's largest city, with a population topping 2.2 million, show a decline in reported violent crimes including murder, rape and robbery during the first four months of this year.
The Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday that the number of reported burglaries and theft rose, despite a citywide public awareness campaign launched in March.
Capt. Mark Eisenman says murders dropped 11.6 percent, rape was down 11.7 percent, and both robbery and aggravated assaults dipped 7.4 percent.
Eisenman says burglary was up 5.4 percent and thefts rose 2.4 percent.
Police Chief Charles McClelland is considering setting up a unit to collect DNA at burglary scenes and other property crimes.
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Information from: Houston Chronicle, http://www.houstonchronicle.com
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
