Evening star., 1949-09-10
Barrett Reports
Upward Trend in
Crime Checked
Numerical Increase
In Serious Cases
Here Noted, However

Despite a numerical increase of
serious crimes in the District over
the 1948 figure, fiscal 1949 brought
signs that the upward trend may
be nearly over.
This. at least, is the opinion of
Police Supt. Robert j. Barrett. who
put it this way in his annual re-
port to the Commissioners yes
terday:
Serious crimes during the year
seemed to level off to a large ex-
tent for the first time since the
war, and the ratio of detection
to the incidence of crime showed
a small but pleasant increase in
clearances."
The leveling process. Maj. Bar
rett's report indicated, covered
only part of the fiscal year ended
last June 80. since there were
more serious crimes this year than
last. In the felony classification,
15,405 crimes were reported in
fiscal 1949,, as against 14.845 for
1948.
Cleared Ratio Compared.
OF the felonies reported, 9,518
or GIT per cent were cleared this
fiscal year. Last year, 1896 or
58.2 per cent were cleared.
Eighty-four murders were re-
ported during fiscal 1949-78 in
fiscal 1948. This was one cate
CORY in which the percentage of
clearances showed no improve
ment. This years record is 78
clearances (928 per cent?. Last
year there were 81 clearances, 94.1
per cent of the murders reported.
At first glance the statistics
seem to show a startling increase
in the incidence of rape-293
rapes reported in fiscal 1919, as
against only SO last year. This
was explained, however, as result
ing from change in the record
ing system. This year, to bring
their figures in line with the
FB1's unifor msystem of crime
recording, the department classed
all rapes and carnal knowledge
cases. as well as attempted rapes
and reports of attempted carnal
knowledge. under the single head
ing rape"
416 of Burglaries Cleared.
Burglary, as usual, proved the
easiest serious crime to get away
with in fiscal 1949. Of 4,424 re-
ported burglaries, 1922 or Ali per
cent were listed as cleared. This
was an Improvement. however,
over the 1948 picture, which
showed a So per cent clearance
record.
Maj. Barrett reported the de-
partments manpower situation
remained acute through fiscal
1949, despite prospects of a pay
raise. The department took on
1875 recruits during the year. But
when this was balanced against
losses of personnel, the net gain
in policemen was only seven. A
net total of IA civilians also were
added to the staff.
Maj. Barrett said the depart
ment had placed much emphasis
during the year on attempts to
curtail the rising rate of juvenile
delinquency.
1851 Traffic Accidents.
"Vice." he declared, has been
held to a minimum during the
fiscal year and further steps have
been inaugurated within the de-
partment to hold it in still closer
check"
The report showed a total of
1851 traffic accidents for the
fiscal year. There were 48 fatal
accidents. resulting in So deaths.
The number of injured was 4,907.
Maj. Barrett pointed with pride
to the performance of his force
during the Inauguration last
winter. This, he said, was the
years largest task, adding:
1--WE successfully handled this
large event and received wide ac-
claim from many sources for our
>sor4e,,