By Jane Prendergast
The Cincinnati Enquirer

New Cincinnati crime statistics show less violence the first half of this year compared with last, fewer robberies and break-ins, and more drug arrests.

Released Thursday, the numbers show incidents of murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault dropped 7.4 percent for January through June of this year, compared with the same time period in 2002. Serious crime, however - including those categories plus burglary, larceny and auto theft - bumped up 0.5 percent citywide.

Police officials say the numbers show officers have gotten more aggressive in fighting violent crime. Still, the 0.5 percent increase now compares with an 11.7 percent increase in serious crime between the years of 2000 and 2001.

The police department and Mayor Charlie Luken's office released only a list of percentages for some crimes, not a complete rundown or any actual numbers. The list included only two categories where the results were at all negative: serious crime and property crimes (burglary, theft, auto theft), up 1.8 percent.

Neighborhood breakdowns were not yet ready, said Lt. Kurt Byrd, department spokesman.

The stats also show:

• Drug arrests jumped 38 percent. Arrests for serious crime went up 4.5 percent; for property crimes (burglary, theft, auto theft), up 10.8 percent; and for violent crime, up 7.7 percent.

• Officers confiscated 91 more guns - an increase of almost 16 percent, and an almost 63 percent jump over the same period in 2001.

Officials always say most of the violence stems from drugs. These numbers prove that connection, said Capt. James Whalen, commander of District 1, which includes downtown, Over-the-Rhine and the West End.

"I see those as nose-to-nose statistics,'' Whalen said. "The arrests are pushing violent crime down. Officers are getting guns in these drug situations, and there's your reduction in the violence.''

In the District 1 neighborhoods, officers also issued 146 percent more parking tickets, 67 percent more moving violations - including speeding - and made 12 percent more DUI arrests. Supervisors there have motivated officers with internal, unofficial contests to meet goals. Whalen also added an extra officer running radar during day shifts.

Email jprendergast@enquirer.com