The crime rate continues to drop for the first half of 2015 in unincorporated Rockdale County, according to the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office.

Comparing the crime statistics through the first half of 2015 with the first halves of the year for the years 2011-2014, the RCSO is showing an overall reduction in total Part I crime and a reduction in nearly every crime category.

Overall, the RCSO has experienced a 5 percent reduction in total for crimes known as Part I crimes (includes thefts, burglaries, aggravated assaults, motor vehicle thefts) during the first six months of 2015 when compared to the first six months of 2014. 

The largest drops were a 21 percent reduction in Aggravated Assaults, 14 percent reduction in Burglaries, 23 percent reduction in Motor Vehicle Thefts and 1 percent reduction in Larceny-Thefts. The Murder rate stayed the same, while Rapes increased from 4 in 2014 to 5 in 2015 and Robberies increased by 8 for a 50% increase.

“After seeing the low crime figures at the end of 2014 not seen in many years in Rockdale County, I am very pleased to see a continued reduction in crime during the first half of 2015,” said Sheriff Eric J. Levett. “I have been focused on crime reduction during my first term in office and have specifically targeted burglaries after citizens identified that crime as their number one concern. The continued reduction speaks to the dedication and hard work put in by the men and women of the RCSO, as well as the many technological and training improvements over the last couple of years that have given deputies the added tools needed to reduce crime. I will continue to fight crime to improve the quality of life for the citizens of this great county.”