Published in the April 28, 2017 edition

MELROSE — Chief Michael Lyle says that the Melrose Police Department saw a more than 55 percent drop in major crimes in the first quarter of 2017.

Known as FBI “Part 1 Incidents,” these crimes include murder/manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, arson and motor vehicle theft.

The department’s statistics are compared from the same time period — Jan. 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016 to Jan. 1, 2017 to March 31, 2017.

Aggravated assaults decreased by over 71 percent, with two incidents reported this quarter as opposed to seven in that same time period in 2016. This quarter’s numbers also show no reported cases of homicide or arson, which is the same as this time in 2016.

As of March 31, the city had seen 28 cases of larceny, a more than 61 percent drop from the 72 reported at that time last year. Motor vehicle theft decreased by over 53 percent from this time period in 2016, from 13 to six. Robberies are down as well, with one on record as opposed to two last year.

There was a slight increase in reported rapes, one this year, as opposed to zero at this time last year. Burglary also went up, with six reported so far this year, as opposed to five last year.

The drop in Part 1 crimes marks a trend for Melrose, which has continued to see a decrease in these types of incidents.

In 2016, the city saw an overall drop of more than 27 percent in Part 1 crimes from 2015.

“We continue to see a decrease in major crimes throughout the City of Melrose,” Lyle said. “I certainly want to commend all members of the Melrose Police Department for working to keep our community safe.”