Most crime in the city is down

The Globe reports today that Boston Police Department statistics show that crime in the city in 2007 was down in most areas from the previous year. While there was a 2.5% rise in the number of larcenies committed, murder (-10.8%), rape (-5.9%), robbery (-17.2%), aggravated assault (-4.3%), burglary (-7.2%) and car theft (-16%) all fell. Overall, serious crime was down 4%.

In another story, the city's police are wondering what happened with the evidence in nearly 1,000 drug cases. While there is the possibility that some of it was legitimately destroyed or misplaced while being moved, it seems clear that at least one officer was dipping his or her hand in the cookie jar for a number of years. While this kind of thing adds to the cynicism that some feel about the police, it looks like the department and the commissioner conducted the audit and opened an investigation -- along with the FBI and the Suffolk County DA's office -- in a manner that should ease some of those concerns.