NPD releases crime statistics for 2008

The Nevada Police Department has released the crime statistics for 2008 and the numbers are mostly down for just about all categories of offenses.

"There's not much I can say that I haven't said for years," Nevada Police Chief Gary Herstein said. "They look good again this year. I think most are down except for stealing, and that's only up one."

The numbers for serious offenses for 2008 show that rape, assaults, burglary, auto theft, and robbery are down while only arson -- four in 2007 and seven in 2008; and stealing -- 425 in 2007 and 426 in 2008, were up.

Nevertheless, there were 13 reports of assault of a police officer, 24 reports of domestic assault, seven instances of felony assault and 62 instances of misdemeanor assault, 15 burglaries, and one case of witness or victim tampering that resulted in criminal charges filed with the prosecutor's office.

The high price of fuel caused the number of miles officers drove to plummet, from 216,667 in 2007 down to 177,728 in 2008.

"When fuel was so high we instituted a different strategy for patrolling," Herstein said.

The city saw 229 accidents on city streets in 2008, down from 258 in 2007. Accidents on private property increased from 129 in 2007 to 146 in 2008. Four cases involved leaving the scene of an accident. There were no accident fatalities on city streets in either year.

In all, 1,248 citations were issued for speeding and 218 were issued for speeding in a school zone. Six people were cited for slow speeds which block or obstruct and 38 were cited for careless and imprudent driving. Thirty-two people were cited for petty theft by shoplifting.

The statistics were more comprehensive this year and Herstein attributed it to a new software application the department is using, Global Records.

"This new software gives citation totals in each category," Herstein said. "It shows everything from animal complaints to parking violations. On the last page of the report it even shows voided tickets. They are there because tickets were issued for no insurance and if the driver can come in and show proof of insurance the ticket gets voided."

Herstein cautioned that the numbers could be misleading because they include more than citations.

"There is one thing to watch out for," Herstein said. "The report includes EROs (equipment repair orders) and warnings in addition to citations. So it's important to keep that in mind."

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Citation totals by violation

Tinted Windows -12

Overtime parking - 73

Petty theft by shoplifting - 32

Petty theft from building - 4

Petty theft from all others - 4

Trees obstructing view of traffic - 5

Fireworks discharge/sale - 2, 10, 46

Business License Required - 1

Depositing Litter in Public Places - 3

Depositing of Litter by Persons in - 2

Parking for Certain Purposes - 6

Parking Prohibited on Narrow Streets - 1

Parking Within Block of Fire - 14

Parking in Private Parking Area - 2

Parking Within Bounds of Parking - 27

Parking in No Parking Zone - 3

Handicapped Parking - 5

Truck Parking Prohibited on Certain - 2

Eafling Unlicensed Vehicle - 17

Parking, Standing, etc., of certain - 12

Safety Helmet for Motorcycle Rider - 6

Defective Motor Vehicles - 282

When Lights on Vehicles Required - 94

Lights on Motor Vehicles, Motor - 197

Dimming Lights - 24

Lighting of Vehicles not Requiring - 4

Muffler Cutouts and Noise - 2

Excessive Noise - Vehicular - 21

Brakes - 2

Child Passenger Restraints - 5

Passenger Restraints - 56

Operation of a Bicycle - 1

Not to park beyond the period of - 86

Distance At Which Vehicle to Follow -12

Leaving Scene of an Accident - 12

State Driver's License Required 219

Vehicles to Yield to Emergency - 2

Multi-Directions, Slow Moving - 2

Standing or Parking Close to Curb - 4

Stopping, Standing or Parking - 58

Parking Not To Obstruct Traffic -11

Parking in Alleys Derelict Vehicles - 231

City Property-Damaging, Trespassing - 7

Disorderly Conduct - 7

Public Disturbance of the Peace - 3

Drunkenness-Public Intoxication -1

Indecent Exposure -1

Lewd Conduct - 1

Unauthorized presence on Private - 1

Loitering, Trespassing on Railroad - 1

Noise - Prohibited Generally - 1

Sound Reproduction in Motor Vehicles - 4

Assault - 7

Interfering with an Officer in Resisting or Interfering with Arrest - 8

Nailing or Tacking Posters on Poles - 2

Begging - 1

Private Property - Damaging - 1

Private Property - Trespassing - 74

Underage Tobacco Possession - 2

Burning - Specific Items Prohibited - 3

Burning- Smoke or Odor Prohibited - 3

Method of Burning - 2

Depositing Excrement in Unsanitary -1

Purchase or Possession by Minor - 12

Dangerous Trees or Limbs 3 Dogs not under owner's control - 1

Abuse, cruelty or neglect of animals - 3

Disposal of manure; removal of waste - 1

Dangerous dogs - 1

Dog tags required - 20

Dogs at Large - 107

Animals causing injury to humans - 2

Animals annoying humans by barking - 1

Femaie dogs in heat; running at large - 1

Dogs without current vaccination - 2

Cat roaming on neighbor's property - 1

Keeping of hogs, goats, horses, 3

Fail to comply with code - 3Probation revocation - City - 9

Voided Ticket - 42