Crime Report: Thefts, Burglaries are Up

The number of thefts in Strongsville rose sharply last year, with burglaries also showing a small increase.

Shoplifting calls jumped from 440 in 2010 to 512 last year, and thefts from vehicles rose from 152 to 208. 

There were 107 burglaries in Strongsville last year, compared with 96 in 2010.

"We've experienced more residential burglaries, as did a number of cities in the area," Police Chief Charles Goss said. 

But Goss called the rise "an uptick" compared to a decade or two ago when police were handling more than 200 burglaries a year.  

The chief said the poor economy could be spurring more people to shoplift, but said the higher number could also be attributed to more merchants being willing to prosecute shoplifters.

The police department's annual report shows the overall crime rate stayed relatively steady last year.

Here's a look at crime in Strongsville in 2011, as well as other calls for police service:

Thefts from yards -- 69 (down from 86 in 2010)
Property damage and vandalism -- 546 (about the same as 2010)
Welfare checks -- 640
Suspicious person/vehicle/situation -- 1,342
Disturbances -- 766
Menacing -- 44 (down from 2010)
Auto theft -- 33
Robbery -- 14
Arson -- 1
Animal complaints -- 441 (up from 366 in 2010)
Lockouts -- 1,629 (up from 2010)
Drug complaints -- 110
Traffic calls -- 10,060
Motor vehicle accidents -- 1,881
Invasion of privacy -- 132
Lost/found property -- 229
Sex offenses -- 40
Weapon offenses -- 30
Curfew -- 35
Parking violations -- 454
Family offenses -- 742
Receiving stolen property -- 36
Breaking and entering -- 44