Bloomington sees 13-percent drop in crime

Posted on February 24, 2015

Bloomington Police Department saw crime drop to a 25-year low in 2014. (WJBC file photo)

By Andy Dahn

BLOOMINGTON – Crime in Bloomington was down in 2014, that's according to recent statistics released by the Bloomington Police Department.

A sharp decrease in robberies, as well as two being solved through YouTube and social media highlighted the positive stats, while motor vehicle theft saw a nine-percent increase in 2014.

City Manager David Hales said the department's impressive work needs to continue.

"Now is not the time to sit back and to not continue to be aggressive in our proactive crime prevention, engagement with our youth and sensitive areas of the city." Hales said.  "Next year could be totally different. It is very important we continue to make that investment."

Police Chief Brendan Heffner said educating at risk youth and preventing drunk driving are two top priorities for the department this year. The city saw a 12-year-high in drunk driving arrests in 2014.

There were three homicides in the city in 2014, compared with two in 2013.

Andy Dahn can be reached at [email protected].

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