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.