39th District reports drop in crime, attributes it to colder temps

At this month’s 39th District police meeting for sections of East Falls and Germantown, Lt. Edward Bier had some good news: Crime statistics are continuing their downward trend for the second month in a row. 

As of Feb. 23, there were 72 reported Part One crimes in PSA-1, a section of the 39th Police District that includes East Falls, Southwest Germantown, and Allegheny West. Even with a projection of 87 total major property and violent crimes for February, this figure is lower than January’s total of 89 Part One crimes, the lowest since January 2012.

Of these, almost 50-percent occurred during the daylight hours, with a majority occurring in Germantown along the neighborhood’s principal commercial corridors.

Breaking down the statistics for February, Bier said that there are 20 burglaries on record for the month, 16 of which were residential. This statistic augments prior statements that property crimes, such as burglaries and thefts, will be the primary focus of local police attention during 2013.

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While pleased that indicators of crime remain comparatively low, Bier expressed concern that the warmer weather ahead could mean a rise in criminal activity.

“Cold weather is always good for law enforcement,” he said.

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