OSBI Preliminary Crime Statistics Show Spike In Reported Rapes

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is putting a magnifying glass on crime across the state.

Preliminary crime stats for 2012 released by the OSBI show many of the numbers stayed close to the same as in 2011, with one notable exception. The amount of reported rapes spiked significantly.

The stats are pulled from more than 300 sheriff's offices and police departments across the state. The OSBI says knowing the numbers is a big help in finding ways to reduce crime in our communities.

The OSBI is tracking what the FBI defines as "serious" crimes, such as murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, as well as, burglary, larceny and auto theft.

7/31/2013 Related Story: OSBI Releases Preliminary Crime Stats For 2012

"If we can pinpoint where we're seeing the problems then the police departments and sheriff's offices can put more manpower toward those areas," said OSBI spokesperson Jessica Brown.

Statewide, the murder count from 2011 to 2012 remained unchanged at 219. However, Tulsa homicides dropped from 50 to 46. That's the city's lowest homicide rate in a decade.

State robberies decreased, but jumped by 84 in Tulsa.

Burglaries fell 2.2 percent statewide. Tulsa followed that trend with 1,300 fewer burglaries.

But the greatest increase came with the number of reported rapes in Oklahoma--up nearly 15 percent.

"We don't know if that's because we're having more reported rapes or there actually are more rapes. We don't know that at this point and time," Brown said.

Nearly 1,700 rapes were reported in Oklahoma last year. Of those, 18 percent were in Tulsa, where 301 rape cases were reported. That's up 35, or 11.6 percent, from the previous year.

Brown said the increase could be because people feel more comfortable to report rape now.

"Because years ago, women thought that they should not come forward, that it was morally despicable to come forward and report this," she said. "Thankfully, society has changed now to where they can come to law enforcement and report that."

A more detailed report looking at specific areas and juvenile crimes is expected out in the next few months.

View The OSBI's Preliminary Report