MARYSVILLE – Any thief thinking of being a Grinch that stole Christmas presents in Marysville better think again.

Police are adding patrols in popular shopping areas to reduce vehicle prowls and shoplifting.

That type of focus on different crimes in different areas of town has led to a huge drop in crime statistics for the year.

Police Chief Rick Smith said Dec. 1 that the department each month looks at where various types of crimes are clustered, then readjusts its force to crack down on criminals in those areas. Arresting those culprits has led to a drop in those types of crimes being recommitted. For example, one vandal who was arrested may be responsible for 35 or more cases.

“These are neighborhood livability issues,” Smith said. “We’ve arrested some prolific thieves and burglars and gotten them off the streets.”

By looking at crime statistics, police can identify areas hit hard by drugs, burglary, theft and so on. The NITE team and other officers on overtime work the area.

Not only do they make arrests, but police presence also deters crimes.

The Regional Property Crime Unit also is out in force, actually getting stolen property back for victims.

Operation Northern Lights has focused on reducing crime in the north end, while Southern Comfort has reduced crime in the Comeford Park area.

Police are also working with big box stores to reduce crime there.

Smith did say the department is having to change the way it reports crime because of new FBI procedures. For years the major crime is what has been reported, such as a burglary. Now elements of crimes also will be reported. Now, if more crimes are committed, they will be counted individually.

Such as, instead of just being counted as a burglary, if there was forced entry, the crime of vandalism would be reported, too.

“That’s just going to increase crime stats and confuse the community,” Smith said.

Crime stats

Comparing last year to this year

Assaults are down 421-365; commercial burglaries are down 381-276; residential burglaries are down 299-224; vandalism is down 209-196; robberies are up 23-19; theft is down 1,182 to 1,137; vehicle theft is down 269-212; and vehicle prowls are down 251-169. Overall, crime is down 2,734 to 2,377.

Some of the stats are even more impressive looking back to 2013 when vehicle prowls were 317, a drop of 47 percent; burglaries were at 407, a drop of 32 percent; and assaults were 449, a drop of 19 percent.