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CAPITAL REGION
County crime statistics improve
Schenectady city numbers rise
BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter


    Violent and property crimes dropped slightly in Schenectady and Albany counties but increased in nearby counties during the first six months of this year, according to the state Division of Criminal Justice Services.
    Violent crimes involving murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault dropped 12.3 percent and 0.7 percent in Albany and Schenectady counties, respectively, between January and August of 2009, compared to a similar period in 2008.
    During this same period, property crimes involving burglary, larceny and motor vehicle thefts dropped by 1.8 percent in Albany County and by 0.3 percent in Schenectady County. Taken together these “index crimes” — violent crimes and property crimes together — declined 3.2 percent and 0.4 percent in the two counties during the first half of this year, according to state statistics.
    “It is a positive trend and we hope it continues,” said Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney.
    Meanwhile, index crimes in the city of Schenectady, whose statistics comprise the bulk of the county’s crime numbers, are up during the first half of this year: 1,762 versus 1,739 for 2008.
    Carney said car larcenies and robberies are up in the city, but other............>>>>...........>>>>...............................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....1&Continuation=1