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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 3:29 p.m., Monday, December 18, 2006

Federal report finds spike in Honolulu violent crime

By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Staff Writer

Instances of violent crime have increased in Honolulu, largely as a result of spikes in robbery and aggravated assault incidents, according to the U.S. Department of Justice's Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report, which compared the first half of 2005 to the same period in 2006.

The agency reported 1,326 violent crimes from January through June this year — up from 1,208 during the same period last year, marking a 9.8 percent increase. Nationwide, there was a 3.7 percent increase in violent crimes, which include the categories murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault.

Figures pertaining to most property crimes were down for the first half of the year in both Honolulu and across the country. Honolulu property crimes were tallied at 18,336 for January to June 2006, compared to 20,341 during the first half of 2005. That's a 9.9 percent drop, compared to a 2.6 percent decrease in property crimes nationwide. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft.

Arson is counted as a separate category from property crimes for statistical purposes, and it was up in both Honolulu and nationwide. Hawai'i's arson reports rose from 246 to 278, a 13 percent increase. Nationwide, arson was up 6.8 percent, according to the Justice Department report.

Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com.