Staff Report

ROCKFORD — Crime saw another downward trend through September this year, the Rockford Police Department reported Monday.

The latest release compares data from January through September 2019 to stats compiled from the same time period last year.

Here’s the breakdown:

Violent crimes
2018: 1,647
2019: 1,386
Down 16%

Robberies
2018: 258
2019: 203
Down 21%

Property crimes
2018: 4,325
2019: 3,754
Down 13%

Aggravated assaults
2018: 1,199
2019: 1,011
Down 16%

Shots fired
2018: 390
2019: 326
Down 16%

Auto thefts
2018: 346
2019: 301
Down 13%

Police say 52% of aggravated assaults reported from January through September were domestic-violence related.  Crime stats do not include homicides. There were 18 homicides in Rockford last year. As of this report there have been 17.

The city’s latest homicide victim, 40-year-old Robert Wash, was shot shortly after 8 p.m., Tuesday outside an apartment complex in the 4900 block of Harrison Avenue. A rapper also known as “Pair A Dice,” Wash was known for speaking out against violence.

Wash’s death is still an active investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact Rockford Police at 815-966-2900 or leave an anonymous tip with Rockford Area Crime Stoppers at 915-963-7867.