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GREENSBORO — Reports of crime across North Carolina fell by 2.2 percent in 2008 while violent crime dropped by 1.3 percent, Attorney General Roy Cooper said Wednesday.

In Greensboro, the overall crime index in 2008 increased by 5 percent compared with 2007, though violent crime dropped. High Point reported a 4 percent overall increase but also saw a drop in violent crime. Guilford County’s overall rate increased by 10 percent.

“You never like to see the numbers go up,” said Sheriff BJ Barnes, who noted continued problems with larceny and burglary as factors in the increase. “But when they do go up, they can be reflective of the time. When people don’t have jobs and need money, they go out and steal.”

So far in 2009, Barnes said, overall crime numbers for his department are down 16 percent. He credits much of that reduction to aggressive patrol by deputies and other efforts to combat crime.

The crime index is based on reports submitted to the State Bureau of Investigation from law enforcement agencies across the state.

Of the downward trend statewide, Cooper said, “Some of the credit must go to stronger laws and diligent law enforcement. But simply because we are in a decline, we cannot stop to celebrate. No level of crime is acceptable and we must be even more innovative in our efforts to fight it.”

Statewide, rates rose in one category of violent crime — robbery — by 2.2 percent. Rates for homicides fell 3.5 percent; for rape, 6.3 percent; and for aggravated assault, 2.7 percent.

The rate of property crime — burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft — decreased by 2.3 percent statewide. Reports of larceny fell 2.7 percent; burglary, 0.4 percent; motor vehicle theft, 7 percent.

Greensboro police Chief Tim Bellamy said many of the crime numbers went down statewide because of better communication among agencies and with residents.

“A lot of cities, including us, are using 'hot spot’ analysis to determine where trends are to place resources where crimes are being committed,” Bellamy said.

“We are doing a better job of forecasting crimes and creating better working relationships with the community.”

To assist in further reducing crime statewide, Cooper plans to ask the legislature to allow DNA collection from those arrested for felonies and violent misdemeanors. Also key are prevention and addressing offenders who are released from prison after their sentences are served, Cooper said.

“We have to find ways to make sure offenders who have done their time don’t turn back to crime when they exit the prison doors,” he said.

Cooper is working with correction officials to launch StreetSafe, an initiative to direct ex-offenders toward discipline and job skills in hope that they can rejoin communities successfully.

North Carolina’s overall reported crime rate has fallen nearly 14 percent in the past 10 years.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com