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The statistics show that crime overall is down 7 percent, compared with the same period last year.

The latest statistics follow decreases in violent crime in Springfield already reported in 2006, compared with statistics in 2005.

"Our ambition is to keep building on these positive results," Flynn said. "I recognize that numbers alone are never going to affect people's perceptions of safety. It has taken Springfield a long time to get where it is, and fear is an issue separate and distinct from our crime data."

The department recognizes its obligation "to reduce crime, to reduce disorder and to reduce the level of fear," Flynn said.

Violent crime, down 14 percent during the first half of 2007, consists of cases of murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, in line with the FBI's unified crime reporting system, officials said.

Flynn said he is particularly encouraged by double-digit percentage decreases in aggravated assault and gun assault.

"Why that is significant for Springfield is that much of our reputation is driven by our reputation for gun-related violent crime," Flynn said. "As we have said for the last year and a half, our goal is to disrupt that cycle of violence through intelligent planning and intelligent deployment relying on good data analysis, and that appears to be bearing some fruit."

The decline in crime is "tangible proof that our community-based, problem-oriented data-driven strategy is working," Flynn said.

In addition, Flynn continued to state that people are far less likely to be victims of violent crime if they do not deal drugs, do not join gangs and are law-abiding citizens.

Some crime categories increased. There were 11 homicides the first six months of 2007, as compared with nine during the first half of 2006. Four of the 2007 homicides were domestic-related, a high rate that cannot be curbed by police deployment, Flynn said.

There were significant decreases in rapes and car thefts, he said.

There was a slight increase in burglary, cause for concern, and a slight decrease in larceny in the first half of 2007 statistics, Flynn said.

Strategies that are helping reduce numbers include "removing the anonymity of street criminals, deploying based on data, not emotion, and providing officers with appropriate resources," Flynn said.

The latest crime statistics were released immediately after Flynn and other Police Department officials met with the City Council Public Health and Safety Committee to discuss crime statistic trends in contrast to public perceptions.

Committee Chairman Domenic J. Sarno, who is a candidate for mayor, said he hears many expressions of fear about crime despite the positive trend in statistics.

Flynn and Sgt. Peter Albano, who heads the Crime Analysis Unit, said the statistics are closely monitored and accurate. Past problems with crime statistics reporting have been corrected, with the FBI giving the department a high ranking for its methodology, Albano said.

http://www.masslive.com/republican/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-2/118768714718780.xml&coll=1