Busted In Acadiana

Lafayette, LA – Crime statistics for the year of 2012 have been released by the Lafayette Police Department. The statistics illustrate an increase of 2.4% of overall reported UCR crimes within the City of Lafayette for the year of 2012. Increases were in Homicides, Burglaries and Thefts. Decreases were in Rapes, Robberies, Assaults and Auto Thefts. The total calls for service increased 4%.

Below is a chart illustrating the comparison between crimes from 2011 to 2012.

Correction From LPD: The percentage increase in homicides should read 100 percent increase not 50 percent. Sorry for any inconvenience.

While crime is on the rise in some areas and down in other areas, one can’t overlook an audio recording released last year where Capt. Dwayne Arceaneaux can be heard giving specifics on how crime statistics were being manipulated in the Lafayette City Police Department nor can one overlook the drastic decline in rape statistics between 2005 and 2012.

In neighboring St. Landry Parish, violent crimes such as murder and rape were totally excluded from their crime statistics. When we inquired why on the St. Landry Parish Crime Stopper’s Facebook page, our comment was removed and we were banned from participating int he conversation .

It’s unclear if Iberia, St. Martin or Acadia Parish release crime statistics for publication.

Unfortunately UCR crime statistics released to the public don’t reflect, “solve rates” which ultimately is a good indicator of how effective investigators are in solving open cases.

As we have said many times before, we believe transparency builds and restores police and community relations.

Want a good example of transparency in a law enforcement agency?

Check out the Thibodaux Police Department’s weekly intelligence reports or check out this comprehensive interview with Chief Scott Silverii about Thibodeaux’s crime statistics.