Tempe's crime rate dropped 3.8 percent last year, according to new data from Tempe police.
The factors behind the drop are unclear, said Brandon Banks, Tempe police spokesman.
"Quite honestly, it could have just been a very good year," he said.
Homicide reports saw the largest percentage drop, 50 percent, with eight cases in 2004 and four in 2005.
Reports of rape decreased by 16.3 percent, with 72 cases in 2005. Theft cases dropped 6.5 percent, going from 8,838 cases to 8,260 cases.
Reports of automobile theft followed close behind with a 4.4 percent drop. There were 2,411 reported cases in 2004 and 2,305 reported cases in 2005.
Automobile theft was a big priority for Tempe police last year, Banks said. The department ramped up its steering-wheel club distribution and vehicle identification number etching programs.
"Our auto theft detail has really stepped up," he said.
Tempe police also partnered with Arizona Mills security to patrol the mall's parking lots, he said.
"We've seen a huge improvement there," Banks added.
On the other hand, arson increased by 58.3 percent last year. Tempe police saw 36 arson fires reported in 2004 and 57 in 2005.
Reports of arson may be on the rise because Tempe police officers are now better trained to recognize arson, said Sgt. Dan Masters, Tempe police spokesman.
"Now that we have several detectives that work as fire investigators, they have helped identify as arson what could have previously been mislabeled," he said.
Robbery also increased in 2005, with rates growing by 24 percent, from 263 cases in 2004 to 326 last year. Assault went up 5.6 percent, moving from 623 cases to 658. Burglary was also on the rise - Tempe police reported 1,793 cases in 2004 and 1,835 cases in 2005, an increase of 2.3 percent.
Theft continued to be the biggest problem for the Tempe Police Department, as it was in 2004. Sixty-one percent of all major crimes committed in Tempe involved property theft.
"Property crime is always going to be number one," said Banks.
Tempe police are battling this problem by being more visible when on duty, he added.
Officers have been encouraged to contact more people on the streets and sidewalks, Banks said.
If officers have more of a presence, they might discourage suspicious activity, he added.
This year, Banks said the department would continue to focus on automobile theft. The department recently completed a public service announcement regarding auto theft for local television stations, he said.
The department also plans to recruit and hire more officers, Banks said.
Reach the reporter at shea.drefs@asu.edu.
