The crime rate in Blaine County bucked a three-year downward trend and jumped 27.3 percent in 2007, Idaho State Police reported in its annual crime report.
While crime was up, the number of arrests was down. ISP reported 631 arrests in Blaine County in 2007, compared to 775 in 2006.
Driving while intoxicated accounted for the highest number of arrests in 2007 at 164. Simple assault ranked second at 38 arrests, followed by larceny at 34 and drugs/narcotics at 33. Close behind was aggravated assault at 29.
The ISP annual crime report is compiled using statistics provided by local law enforcement agencies. ISP reported that Blaine County had 877 "Group A Offenses" in 2007, compared to 689 in 2006. Group A Offenses include crimes against persons or property.
Statewide, crimes against persons or property declined by 3.1 percent in 2007.
ISP listed the Group A offense rate in Blaine County in 2007 at 3993.8 per 100,000 population, which was more than twice the statewide average of 1971.9 per 100,000 persons.
Larceny led the county list for the highest number of crimes reported in 2007 at 211. There were 152 reports of vandalism, 133 reports of burglary, 85 cases of simple assault and 65 reports of aggravated assault.
There were eight reports of forcible rape and 10 reports of statutory rape.