The Champaign Police Department has reduced property crimes after making it a priority a little more than one year ago. On Oct. 1, 2017, at the direction of City Council, the department dedicated additional detectives to the investigations unit to combat and decrease the reports of residential and motorized burglaries.
From Oct. 1, 2017 to Sept. 30, 2018, through the work of patrol and investigative staff, outreach and awareness efforts, Champaign Police reduced residential burglaries by approximately 48 percent and motorized vehicle burglaries by approximately 35 percent compared to data one year prior. Additionally, 2018 is on pace to be one of Champaign’s lowest years of reported property crime.
“Due to the hard-work of officers, detectives and community members alike, the City of Champaign has taken an important step to mitigate what was a growing problem,” said Deputy Chief Dave Shaffer. “By analyzing data, it became clear we needed to devote additional resources to address the rise in property crime, and we’re encouraged by these numbers for the betterment and benefit of residents and visitors.”
*BMV = burglarized motor vehicle.