The Midland Police Department has compiled its annual crime statistics for 2015. The following numbers refer to Part I crimes, which are those most likely to be reported and are serious in nature and/or volume:
| Crime | 2014 | 2015 | Increase/Decrease |
| Murder & Manslaughter by Negligence | 7 | 7 | 0% |
| Forcible Rape | 36 | 46 | 27% |
| Robbery | 65 | 61 | -6.15% |
| Aggravated Assault | 299 | 315 | 5.35% |
| Burglary | 597 | 656 | 9.88% |
| Theft | 2,475 | 2,544 | 2.79% |
| Auto Theft | 194 | 181 | -6.7% |
| Total Part I Crimes | 3,673 | 3,810 | 3.7% |
Midland’s Part I crimes increased by 137 offenses, or 3.7 percent, in 2015.
Despite growth in some crime categories, the police department has been able to keep crime rates relatively low in a time of exponential growth thanks to its partnership with community organizations and dedicated officers and detectives. MPD continues to use crime data and statistics to identify possible crime trends or spikes in crimes in a specific part of the city.
In 2015, MPD increased the size of its Directed Patrol Unit, which proactively addresses crime hot spots. The department enacted a program called DDACTS (Data-Driven Approach to Crime and Traffic Safety) in August. DDACTS integrates location-based crime and traffic crash data to determine the most effective methods for deploying law enforcement and other resources. In an effort to enhance its partnership with the community, the department has strengthened its online presence by creating Facebook and Twitter accounts, and launching neighborhood networking site www.nextdoor.com in Midland. Plans are in the works to further increase the footprint of MPD’s digital presence.
The police department continues to educate individuals on ways they can protect themselves from harm. According to the National Institute of Justice, most perpetrators of sexual assault are known to their victims. The Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) class provided by the Midland Police Department continues to be a popular program and provides realistic self-defense techniques that women can use to protect themselves. This comprehensive course covers awareness, prevention, risk reduction and avoidance, while progressing on to the basics of hands-on defense training. Women can sign up for a future RAD class by calling 432-685-7964.
Midland saw a reduction in the number of aggravated robberies and auto thefts that occurred this past year. Unlocked vehicles accounted for over half of the auto burglaries which led to a rise in thefts, which is an issue that MPD continues to battle with its “Lock it or Lose it” campaign. Midland has had an overall decrease of 28 percent in burglaries since MPD’s implementation of a reduction strategy in June 2009, a year in which there were a total of 909 reported burglaries.
###Media Contact: Police Chief Price Robinson