Serious crime in the areas under protection of the St. Louis County Police Department has decreased to the second lowest number of crimes in the past twenty years. Index crime statistics comparing 2008 to 2009 in unincorporated St. Louis County, and the municipalities served by County officers show an overall reduction of 12.3 percent. In addition, there has been a decrease in every Index Crime category reported to the FBI and a decrease in all seven precincts.

There were 13 homicides reported in 2009 compared to 15 in 2008, resulting in a decrease in murder of 13.3 percent. The number of rapes has decreased 1.2 percent, robbery decreased 7.0 percent and aggravated assault decreased 16.8 percent. Arson decreased by 27.1 percent, burglary decreased 22.1 percent, motor vehicle theft decreased by 21.3 percent and larceny decreased by 7.7 percent.

St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley stated, "I commend the St. Louis County Police Department and Chief Tim Fitch in this very important success. The pro-active programs and partnerships that the County Police have established in our community are reflected through these statistics. The County Police Department is more than living up to the standards that the residents of St. Louis County expect and deserve."

Chief of Police Timothy Fitch stated, "I am very proud of our patrol officers, detectives and support personnel because this decrease emphasizes their dedication and commitment to the community. There are many reasons why crime is on a decline in unincorporated St. Louis County and contract municipalities and why we see a reduction. We have been able to increase beat staffing on the street in 2009 and have implemented several special enforcement programs targeted at high crime areas." 
 
Chief Timothy Fitch will be available to discuss the 2009 crime statistics at a news conference on Thursday, January 21, 2010, at 2:00 PM at Police Headquarters, 7900 Forsyth, Clayton, Missouri 63105. Everyone is welcome to attend.