Police note drop in crime rates in 2008
Department releases annual crime rates report indicating 4% drop in sex crimes, 4.8% drop in violent crimes and 13% decrease in home invasions. Numbers also indicated rise in youth violence, drug-related offenses
The Israeli Police released its crime statistics for 2008 on Tuesday, reporting an overall drop in criminal activity across the country over the past 12 months.
The report did, however, indicate a discontenting rise in youth violence and drug-related offenses.
The data showed a 4% drop in sex crimes, including a 4% drop in rapes and a 6% drop in indecent acts.
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Israel saw fewer break-ins in 2008 as well, as reported burglaries in the business sector dropped 16% and home invasions dropped by 13%. Car thefts also dropped in 2008, decreasing by 13%.
But not all of the data was encouraging: The report indicated a 14% rise in drug-related cases and youth violence, stating that 3,582 investigations into teenage violence in schools were opened in 2008.
Police destroyed 15 tons of drugs in 2008 and noted significant progress in the fight against organized crime, saying that the majority of the heads of Israel's major crime families – the likes of Zeev Rosenstein, Yitzhak and Meir Abergil, Assi Abutbul and Amir Mulner – were either behind bars, or facing various criminal proceedings.
The Department also noted, proudly, that it did not have a budgetary deficit in 2008. The police recently asked the government for an additional budget of $226.87 million, meant to support personnel additions, various projects and payroll.
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