DeKALB — The 2016 DeKalb Police Department annual report showed a 26 percent rise in part one crimes from 2015 to 2016 after these crimes decreased from 2012 to 2015.

DeKalb Police Chief Gene Lowery said crimes categorized nationwide as part one were the most serious offenses, such as burglary, theft and homicide during a Monday city council meeting at the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth St.

“I have to tell you that in my 38 years in law enforcement, I have never seen such a dramatic increase in crime in part one,” Lowery said during the meeting.

Lowery said burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft accounted for 97 percent of the increase. From 2015 to 2016, burglary increased by 63 incidents, theft increased by 253 incidents and motor vehicle thefts increased by 14 incidents.

Burglaries to unsecured vehicles, which falls under the category of theft, accounted for the most significant increase in crime. Of these, only .05 percent were with force.

In 2016, 73 juvenile offenders were charged with 149 part one crimes. The top 20 juvenile offenders, whose average age is 15.9, accounted for 130 arrests for part one crimes.

Part two crimes, which include weapon offenses, saw a 4 percent increase.

Weapon offenses include unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and aggravated discharge of a firearm. These offenses increased by 34 percent, and calls of shots fired increased by 39 percent. Of the weapons taken off the street by police, 63 of 73 weapons were related to some crime.

“As we look at crime across our state, it’s important that we look at crime in communities that host major state universities,” Lowery said.

Lowery said he does not connect the increase in crime with the student population.

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