Crime down in 2010 over preceding year

May 2, 2011

A press release from Mammoth Lakes Police Chief Dan Watson reports that there was a 27 percent reduction in crime in Mammoth Lakes in 2010 when compared to 2009.

Further, Watson says, a review of traffic collision data shows that there was an 18 percent increase in injury collisions and hit and run collisions in 2010 over 2009.

"While the overall crime statistics reflect a positive change, the Town of Mammoth Lakes gets relatively little crime," Watson says, "so it’s not unusual for the numbers to fluctuate dramatically. Crime was down in all categories except robberies where there was no change and rape, where there was an increase of four crimes."

The release goes on to say that the traffic collision data is not a positive trend, adding that the severe winter may have contributed to the increase in collisions. The data will be further analyzed to determine where directed traffic patrols should focus attention.