The number of crimes committed statewide decreased from 2007 to 2008, according to a report from the Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance.

The OJA’s Statistical Analysis Center prepared the annual report by collecting crime data from 386 Wisconsin law enforcement agencies, according to a report preface written by OJA Executive Director Dave Steingraber.

The report indicated that between 2007 and 2008, the overall violent crime rate decreased by 4.6 percent, bringing the rate to 267 per 100,000 residents. The term “violent crime” encompasses murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault.

Of those violent crimes, the report said the murder rate changed the most, with a drop from 21 percent to 1 percent. However, due to the small number of incidents the report said it is cautious of the results.

Aggravated assault accounted for 59 percent of all violent crimes committed in 2008, a decrease of 3.3 percent. Robbery and forcible rape accounted for 33 and 7 percent of violent crimes committed, respectively.

The report also included statistics about the property crime rate, which includes motor vehicle theft, arson and burglary. Motor vehicle theft in particular experienced a decline of 15 percent.

Crime rates have decreased on a national scale as well. According to a parallel report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, overall violent crime across the nation fell 1.9 percent from the 2007 estimate.

“I am very pleased the crime rate is falling,” said Rep. Fred Kessler, D-Milwaukee. “A lot of factors played a role in this, including an aging population.”

According to Kessler, a member of the Assembly Committee on Corrections and the Courts, crime rates are most substantial in the age group of 18- to 35-year-olds.

Despite the overall decrease in crimes, Kessler said there is still a lot for Wisconsin to do to reduce crime and the prison population.

“Having 23,000 people incarcerated is outrageous,” Kessler said.