METAIRIE, La. - The number of murders in Jefferson Parish have been cut in half so far in 2012, according to statistics released by the sheriff's office Tuesday.
The crime statistics show 11 murders through the end of May, compared to 23 through May of 2011.
Other categories of crime showed increases with reported rapes up 13 percent (31 in 2011; 35 in 2012), robbery up 8 percent and theft up 11 percent.
Assault (down 2 percent), burglary (down 15 percent) and auto theft (down 2 percent), all showed decreases.
