HARTFORD – A new Connecticut State Police report on crime paints a picture of an incredibly safe State of Connecticut, police statistics show.
The 2021 “Crime in Connecticut” report published today shows that from 2021 compared to 2020, overall crime in Connecticut decreased by 2.76% to its second-lowest level in at least a decade.
Violent crime in Connecticut decreased by 9% to its lowest level in at least a decade, and motor vehicle thefts declined by 10.5%, with nearly 1,000 fewer motor vehicles stolen in 2021 compared to 2020.
Following a national trend, Connecticut’s murder and manslaughter rate did increase by 2.17% last year, with three more people murdered in the state in 2021 compared to 2020. Connecticut’s murder rate is still about 37% below the national average, however. The number of rapes also increased compared to 2020 but still remained at the decade-long average for Connecticut.
There were 9,038 sworn police personnel in Connecticut in 2021, or 2.51 officers for every 1,000 residents. No Connecticut police officer was killed in any felonious assault in 2021.
“It is extremely encouraging that crime is trending down in Connecticut according to the latest statistics,” said Sen. Needleman. “Police reports from across the state showed violent crime decreased by 9% and is at its lowest level since at least 2012. As the First Selectman of Essex, I work directly with local police as the civilian chief and I know firsthand their levels of enforcement and engagement with the community remain strong. I’m grateful to police around the state for performing their jobs well. During the worst parts of the pandemic in 2020, crime rose. As the pandemic’s worst parts abated in 2021, crime fell. I hope falling crime rates remain constant in 2022 and beyond.”
Sen. Needleman was among many legislators who in recent years have voted in support of bills strengthening juvenile crime laws and cracking down on car thefts as well as catalytic converters in efforts to reduce crime rates in Connecticut.
The 2021 version of “Crime in Connecticut” is the 44th in a series of annual state police reports dating back to 1978. “Crime in Connecticut” continues to be Connecticut’s most comprehensive compilation of crime data, providing detailed statistics on criminal offenses and arrests statewide. The publication’s source data are based upon monthly reporting of crime activity to the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program at the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Crime in Connecticut provides police departments, administrators, legislators, advocacy groups, and the general public with important information for planning purposes.
The full state police “Crime in Connecticut” report can be found here