Crime & Safety

Violent Crime Down, Burglaries Up in 2012

The 2012 countywide crime statistics were released by Howard County Police on Tuesday.

Violent crimes in the county were down compared to last year, but burglaries rose slightly in the 2012 annual statistics released by Howard County Police on Tuesday.

There were 574 incidents of violent crime—which includes homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault—in 2012 compared to 597 in 2011. Last year’s numbers were not the lowest in the last five years, in 2010 there were 558 violent crimes, but 2012’s numbers were much lower than 2008 and 2009 when there were more than 700 violent crimes both of those years.

While property crime, which includes burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft and arson was down as a category; burglaries were up from 2011. In 2012, there were 1,185 burglaries compared to 1,108 the year before.

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The burglary figures in 2012 were lower than the five year average, which is 1,253.8 per year.

Overall there was about a 2.5 percent decrease in crime in 2012 compared to 2011. 

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“We believe the reductions in crime we continue to see in Howard County are a reflection of very strategic policing,” said Police Chief William McMahon. “We have focused on identifying emerging crime patterns and repeat offenders.”

Total homicides were stagnant in 2012 from 2011; there were four both years.

Crime statistics that were down in 2012:

  • Robbery – 177 in 2012; 211 in 2011; 226.2 5-year average
  • Theft – 4913 in 2012; 5082 in 2011; 5341.6 5-year average
  • Motor vehicle theft – 312 in 2012; 366 in 2011; 391 5-year average

Crime statistics up in 2012:

  • Rape – 34 in 2012; 31 in 2011; 33.8 5-year average
  • Aggravated assault – 359 in 2012; 351 in 2011; 371.6 5-year average
  • Burglary – 1,185 in 2012; 1,108 in 2011; 1,253.8 5-year average
  • Arson – 62 in 2012; 58 in 2011; 66.4 5-year average
  • Officers assaulted - 118 in 2012; 90 in 2011

Overall, there were a total of 17,089 part I and part II offenses in the county, compared with 17,509 in 2011.

In a statement, police said they used a new statistics-driven policing model in 2012 to focus patrols based on crime data and trend information.

“I applaud the ongoing efforts of our police officers who work so diligently every day to prevent, investigate and solve crimes,” said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, in a statement. “I also thank our residents who are the best ‘eyes and ears’ for the officers and are true partners in ensuring that Howard County is a very safe place to live and work.”

High profile crimes in 2012 included the double homicide at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in May when a homeless man gunned down the pastor and a secretary before taking his life. Also in May, police solved a string of fires in Columbia’s Town Center after they arrested a Columbia teen fleeing from a fire at the Mall in Columbia. He later pleaded guilty to arson charges.

In Elkridge, the body of Christine Jarrett was found underneath a shed in April after she had been missing for 21 years. Robert Jarrett, her husband, was charged in her murder and his trial begins this week.

In September of 2012, police issued warnings about a string of daytime door kick-in burglaries throughout the county. In October, a man and woman were arrested for their involvement in the burglaries, then released on bail and went on the run until eventually being tracked down in Florida. They are both currently awaiting trial. 

Other High Profile Crimes of 2012

Four Indicted from Elkridge Meth Lab Bust

Ellicott City Double Shooting: 'He Had a Target'  

3 Face Attempted Murder in Marriottsville Shooting

Columbia Taco Bell Manager Shot by Masked Suspect  


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