Crime Description

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Crime totals shown in the table is the average number of criminal offenses reported over the most recent 3-year period. A 3-year average is used to reduce variability in reported crime that occurs within small areas over short periods of time. Consequently, a three-year average accurately depicts reported crime by community. Crime totals are updated every three months for over 1500 neighborhoods and communities in Baltimore County. The average is calculated by adding each Part I and selected Part II offenses, by reporting area for each quarterly period over a three year time frame. The total is divided by 3, resulting in a three year average.

1. Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter: the willful nonnegligent killing of one human being by another. Deaths caused by negligence, attempts to kill, assaults to kill, suicides, accidental death, and justifiable homicides are excluded. Justifiable homicides are limited to: (1) the killing of a felon by a law enforcement officer in the line of duty and (2) the killing of a felon by a private citizen.

2. Manslaughter by Negligence: the killing of another person through gross negligence. Traffic fatalities are excluded.

   Forcible Rape

   The carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will. Included are rapes by force and attempts or assaults to rape. Statutory offenses (no force used-victim under age of consent) are excluded in the forcible rape category, but included as a sex offense, Part II crime.

   Robbery

   The taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear.

   Aggravated Assault

   An unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. This type of assault usually is accompanied by the use of a weapon or by means likely to produce death or great bodily harm. Simple assaults are excluded.

   Burglary-Breaking or Entering

   The unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or a theft. Attempted forcible entry is included.

   Larceny-Theft (except motor vehicle theft)

   The unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another. Examples are thefts of bicycles or automobile accessories, shoplifting, pocket-picking, or the stealing of any property or article which is not taken by force and violence or by fraud. Attempted larcenies are included. Embezzlement, "con" games, forgery, worthless checks, etc. are excluded as a Part I offense.

   Motor Vehicle Theft

   The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle. A motor vehicle is self-propelled and runs on the surface and not on rails. Specifically excluded from this category are motorboats, construction equipment, airplanes, and farming equipment.

   Arson

   Any willful or malicious burning or attempt to burn, with or without intent to defraud, a dwelling house, public building, motor vehicle or aircraft, personal property of another, etc.

   Vandalism

   Willful or malicious destruction, injury, disfigurement, or defacement of any public or private property, real or personal, without consent of the owner or persons having custody or control.

   Sex Offenses

   Statutory rape and offenses against chastity, common decency, morals, and the like. Sex offenses do not include forcible rape, prostitution and sex offenses of a commercialized nature. Attempts are included.

   Drug Abuse Violations

   State and local offenses relating to the unlawful possession, sale, use, growing, and manufacturing of narcotic drugs. The following drug categories are specified: opium or cocaine and their derivatives (morphine, heroin, codeine); marijuana; synthetic narcotics—manufactured narcotics that can cause true addiction (demerol, methadone); and dangerous non-narcotic drugs (barbiturates, benzedrine).

    

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