The Corsicana Police Department is pleased to report that Part 1 Crime, which is required to be reported annually to the FBI, decreased 6.59% in 2014 to the lowest level in over twenty years. The 2014 decrease followed a 7.33% decrease in 2013 for a two year decrease of 13.92%. In 2014 there were 1,290 reported Part 1 crimes – murder (0), forcible rape (19), robbery (31), aggravated assault (83), burglary (317), theft (804), motor vehicle theft (32), and arson (3). Forcible rape had the greatest decrease, 38.71%. Burglaries to businesses decreased 16% and theft decreased 10.86%.
In 2014 officers made 1,370 arrests, conducted 6,096 traffic stops, and issued 2,824 citations. Officers also investigated 698 traffic accidents. There were 106 accidents with injury, which was a 23.19% decrease from 2013.
The department created a very successful Narcotics Unit in 2014 after the department’s detectives that were assigned to the Navarro County Drug Task Force were transferred back to the police department so they could spend more time concentrating on drug issues in the City limits. Consequently, drug arrests in Corsicana increased 139% from 82 in 2013 to 196 in 2014. Since drug related crimes are a considerable portion of the total reported crime in our community, the significant increase in drug arrests is strongly believed to have had a positive impact in decreasing overall crime and improving the quality of life for Corsicana’s citizens and visitors.
In 2014 the department also created a Rapid Response Team, which is commonly referred to as a SWAT Team to execute narcotics and other high risk search warrants, in addition to responding to other specialized tactical situations such as armed, barricaded suspects. The RRT executed several successful narcotics related search warrants that resulted in many suspects being arrested without incident.
In 2014 the Dispatch Center received 22,114 emergency calls and 75,521 non-emergency calls for police, fire, and EMS.
In addition to recognizing the department’s officers for their hard work and service to the community in reducing criminal activity in Corsicana, Chief Bratton credits the citizens for reporting suspicious activity in their neighborhoods and for providing crime tips to the department.
Chief Bratton reminded citizens to not keep valuables in their vehicles and to keep their doors and windows secure to their vehicles, residences, and businesses. Many burglaries could be prevented if more citizens would take such precautions.
If any citizen would like further crime prevention information, please contact Crime Prevention Officer James Hudson at 903-654-4900 or by email at jhudson@ci.corsicana.tx.us.
Randy S. Bratton
Chief of Police
Corsicana Police Department