…and that trend would be “crimes against property UP, crimes against people DOWN”.

The AJC looked at Atlanta crime statistics – like we did for Decatur a few weeks back – and came to a similar conclusion:  For all the emotion surrounding recent high-profile killings, crimes against people on the east side of Atlanta were actually down in most areas for 2008.

DM reported a similar trend here in the city of Decatur when the PD sent out their annual statistics last month.

According to the AJC – and backed up by countless reports on the Oakhurst Message Board – its theft of flat-screen TVs and GPS systems that are really driving the numbers right now.

At least we seem to rid ourselves of those ridiculous “blue jean bandits” for the time being (knock on virtual wood).