Car thefts down, but carjackings on the rise; MPD releases 3rd quarter crime stats
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- On Tuesday, Milwaukee police released their third quarter crime review, where overall crime is down 12%. They said although car thefts are down, they do see a rise in carjackings.
"We are all pleased with the direction these numbers are going," said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman.
According to Milwaukee police, from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, they've seen different types of crime decrease across the board.
"Part one crime continues to decrease, and we are down 12%. Homicide for this quarter is also down, property crime has decreased by 17%, all theft have decreased by 29%," said the chief.
Although those numbers seem hopeful, police said they've noticed a spike in carjackings.
From Sept. 26 to Oct. 23, MPD reported 41 carjackings.
Lisa Correa said she was the victim of an attempted carjacking on Sunday night near 7th and Pierce. Video shows strangers pull up in front of her car, and one man jumps out and attempts to open her car door. Moments later he's seen kicking her car window.
"When it was happening, I was freaking out and I didn't expect -- like I was so in shock I didn’t know what was going on," said Correa.
Correa said she hasn't made a police report but said officers took down her information and description of the event.
Chief Jeffrey Norman said he couldn't confirm if the people stealing cars are the same ones carjacking but said they have seen it as a trend among young adults.
Another crime uptick was human trafficking, which is up 32% from last year. Chief Norman attributes the high numbers to victims reporting their abuse more.