Carlsbad Crime Rate Rises Slightly in First Half of 2012

The crime rate in Carlsbad rose in the first half of 2012 compared to the first six months of 2011, following a countywide trend, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) announced Wednesday.

Carlsbad's 2012 mid-year crime rate fell below the average for the county, with 20.49 crimes reported out of every 1,000 residents in the city, rising from 18.57 in 2011 but down from 2008 where the number stood at 26.53.

The violent crime rate in Carlsbad also rose to 2.49 crimes reported out of every 1,000 residents compared to 1.48 in 2011. Property crime rate rose from 17.09 in 2011 to 18 in 2012.

Regionally, the average mid-year violent crime rate rose 8 percent, while the property rate climbed 7 percent in the year-over-year comparison, according to the SANDAG. Though higher than last year's mid-year crimes rates, this year's tallies are lower countywide than any year between 2003 and 2010.

It's too early to tell if this year's uptick is temporary or if it's the beginning of a trend, according to Cynthia Burke, director of criminal justice research for SANDAG.

"We have enjoyed historic lows in crime rates over the past decade, so it's not entirely surprising that the numbers are now going up," Burke said in a statement.

So far, in 2012, the following crimes have been reported in Carlsbad:

• 14 Rapes
• 18 Robberies
• 102 Aggravated assaults
• 150 Residential burglaries
• 83 Non-residential burglaries
• 295 Larceny over $400
• 381 Larceny under $400
• 60 Motor vehicle theft
• 3 Arson

-City News Service contributed to this report