The crime rate in the city of Janesville decreased in 2018.
Data from Janesville Police Chief David Moore shows the trend down from 2017.
The city’s 20-year low in crime rate came in 2016, which is still slightly below where Janesville sat last year.
Chief Moore cited community efforts beyond the police department as the reason for the decline.
Since 2002, the crime rate in Janesville has been cut nearly in half.
All forms of violent crime decreased in 2018 except for aggravated assault, which Moore says is a result of their efforts to more deeply investigate domestic violence issues.
Janesville’s crime rate continues to hover above the state and national average for crime rate. The police chief says those have the benefit of including more rural areas, where crime tends to be significantly lower.
Moore says he’s operating a lean police department that actually staffs one fewer officer than they had back in the year 2000.
