AUGUSTA, Maine (WGAN) Maine’s Department of Public Safety says crime in the state fell again in 2020 for the ninth consecutive year.
New statistics released Monday show the state saw a 6.1% decrease in overall crime last year. There were 17,347 crimes reported, or 14 offenses per 1,000 people. The nationwide rate in 2019 was 25 offenses per 1,000 people.
Overall violent crime fell by 4.9% in 2020.
The number of homicides remained unchanged from 2019, with 22 reported last year. Five of those were related to domestic violence.
Motor vehicle theft, arson, and simple assault were the only types of crimes that saw increases in 2020, according to the report.
Maine Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck thanked law enforcement in a statement, saying “Our complex world was complicated further with ongoing COVID-related protocols and safety concerns, but you selflessly reported for duty. This is just the latest example of your willingness to evolve as a profession and I look forward to further enhancing our efforts to protect and serve.”
Domestic violence also fell by 6%, but Francine Garland Stark with the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence says that doesn’t tell the whole story. “Sadly, the reduction in calls to law enforcement regarding domestic violence raises more concerns than hopes for the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence. There has been no similar reduction in the numbers of domestic violence victims reaching out to our 24-hour helplines,” said Stark.
