By LEONARD GRAY

HAHNVILLE – “We’re still looking at a great year, but we still have room for improvement,” St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg C. Champagne said.

Champagne reported a continued overall downward trend in crime statistics, compared to the previous quarter.

Robberies, thefts and burglaries are significantly down, according to the reported statistics for July-September 2002.

The third quarter of 2002 included 655 incidents, reported to the FBI for their Uniform Crime Report statistical total. That is a drop from 677 incidents in the second quarter of the year and also a drop from 706 incidents in the third quarter of 2001. It is also the best third-quarter report since Champagne first took office in July 1996.

“We have seen a drop in every quarter this year,” Champagne added. “This supports the effectiveness of enforcement and prevention initiatives we implemented are having a positive impact.”

On the downside, the sheriff is still not happy with the property crime statistics, especially with the Christmas-shopping season here.

To help fight the possibility of a rise in thefts, robberies, auto thefts and burglaries, Champagne plans added patrols, using reserve officers.

Additionally, more DWI patrols will be on duty to help keep the highways safer.

The 655 incidents of the third quarter of 2002, July through September, break down as follows:

• Murder, none this quarter. There have only been two homicides this year, both in February.

• Rape, five incidents. This compares to four in the first quarter, three in the second quarter, and also five in the third quarter of 2001.

• Assault, 222 incidents. This compares to 221 in the first quarter, 223 in the second quarter, and also 239 in the third quarter of 2001.

• Robbery, five incidents. This compares to eight in the first quarter, nine in the second quarter, and also 16 in the third quarter of 2001.

• Burglary, 109 incidents. This compares to 79 in the first quarter, 117 in the second quarter, and also 128 in the third quarter of 2001.

• Theft, 280 incidents. This compares to 204 in the first quarter, 301 in the second quarter, and also 286 in the third quarter of 2001.

• Auto theft, 34 incidents. This compares to 20 in the first quarter, 24 in the second quarter, and also 32 in the third quarter of 2001e parish,” residents could become too relaxed and be off their guard, according to the sheriff.