Reported crime up 3.39 percent in July

For the sixth straight month, reported crime in Pine Bluff increased in July compared to the same month in 2015.

According to the police department report, reported crime jumped 3.39 percent last month when compared to July 2015. There were 488 total reported crimes, 16 more than a year earlier.

For the year, reported crime is up 10.45 percent, with 3,045 incidents reported compared to 2,757 for the same period in 2015.

The report indicated that the biggest jumps resulted from increases in both residential and commercial burglaries, a common occurrence during the summer months when kids are out of school.

Last month,99 residential burglaries were reported compared to 68 in July 2015. Commercial burglaries increased from 20 in July 2015 to 22 last month.

Motor vehicle thefts showed a slight increase, going from 21 a year ago to 26 last month while simple thefts declined from 148 in July 2015 to 124 last month.

In terms of crimes against persons, there were 23 reported robberies last month, more than double the number (11) reported in July 2015. Reported rapes and attempted rapes increased slightly, going from six in July 2015 to seven last month.

Also showing an increase were aggravated assaults which jumped from 34 in July 2015 to 49 last month, while simple assaults dropped from 163 to 137.

Eight murders have been reported so far this year, two more than for the same period in 2015.