Crime was up slightly in Decorah during 2009

The City of Decorah remains a fairly safe community.  Decorah Police say they handled 852 total offenses during 2009--an increase of 40 from the year before.

But most of that increase was due to a jump in liquor violations from 54 in 2008 to 89 in 2009.  And serious crime was nonexistent again during 2009--there were no kidnappings, arsons, manslaughters, robberies, extortions, embezzlements or stalkings.  The most common criminal offense was theft, with 129 cases.

Overall, arrests were down slightly in 2009, with 420 adults and 43 juveniles having charges filed against them.  2008's figures were 428 adults and 52 juveniles.

Police were very busy during 2009, however.  The department's annual report say the Decorah Communications Center received 6,882 calls for service.