Burglary continues to be the most prevalent serious crime in Bogalusa, according to statistics compiled by the police department from July through September, and the burglary rate took the biggest jump, especially in one district, during that time period. 

The robbery rate is also back up after a second quarter low, and the murder rate rose steadily from zero in the first quarter of 2009, to one in the second quarter, and to two murders in the third quarter.

Both of the third-quarter murders took place in District B, while the second-quarter murder took place in District A. Arrests have been made in all three cases, said Rocky Gerald, acting assistant chief of police, who was filling in while acting Chief Effie Clayton was on vacation this week. 

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The third quarter burglary rate was up from 78 to 104 citywide, with the bulk in District D where the rate nearly tripled from 14 in the second quarter to 41.

Gerald said the District D numbers represent a crime wave that was squelched.

“That was the Pleasant Hill district where we had a rash of burglaries,” he said. ‘We arrested two guys for maybe 15 or 20 burglaries.”

In general, the high burglary rate involves “a few major” burglaries, but many that only involved a single item like a DVD player or a VCR, he said.

“And a lot of the burglaries were of vacant houses, like when people move or people pass away,” said Gerald. “That causes a lot of problems for us.”

Citywide, the rape rate went from five in the first quarter to two in the second quarter and stayed at two in the third quarter, according to the report. The overall robbery rate went from 10 to four to 13. The burglary rate increased from 56 in the first quarter to 78 in the second quarter to 104 in the third quarter.

“Crime is just one of those things that we’ve got to live with,” said Gerald. “But we’re fighting it every day the best we can, and we’re going to keep fighting.”

The district breakdown follows:

In District A in the second quarter of 2009, there was one murder, one rape, no robberies and 21 burglaries. In the third quarter, there were no murders, no rapes, seven robberies and nine burglaries.

In District B in the second quarter of 2009, there were no murders, no rapes, two robberies and seven burglaries. In the third quarter, there were two murders, one rape, one robbery and 22 burglaries.

In District C in the second quarter of 2009, there were no murders, no rapes, two robberies and 14 burglaries. In the third quarter, there were no murders, no rapes, one robbery and 13 burglaries.

In District D in the second quarter of 2009, there were no murders, no rapes, no robberies and 14 burglaries. In the third quarter, there were no murders, one rape, one robbery and 41 burglaries.

In District E in the second quarter of 2009, there were no murders, one rape, zero robberies and 22 burglaries. In the third quarter, there were no murders, no rapes, three robberies and 19 burglaries.