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There was an overall drop in violent crimes in St John the Baptist Parish in 2024, but rape incidents were high, according to data obtained from St John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office.

These criminal incidents encompass burglaries, assaults, thefts, and other violent offenses. In 2024, the parish recorded six rape cases, one more than last year.

A breakdown of the numbers presented by the Sheriff’s Office: According to St John’s Parish Sheriff’s Office data, overall average violent crime levels in 2024 were 26% below those seen in 2023, after the post-pandemic-related crime spike.

St John’s Parish had 492 theft incidents last year, compared to 509 in 2023. That’s a 3% drop.The parish has experienced a notable decline in theft cases over the past five years, with 637 reported in 2020.

Last year, there were 45 auto thefts. Between 2020 and 2023, the parish averaged about 57 auto thefts each year. Six people were killed in the parish last year compared to eight in 2023. These totals are up by 25% compared to those during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

There were 80 reported assault incidents that the Sheriff’s Office recorded in 2024. This is a 14% decrease from 2023, when 93 assault cases were reported to police.

Robberies, particularly among juveniles, fell in 2024, furthering the recovery from the dramatic spike in shootings and killings in 2022 and 2023. Police data reveals 12 robberies in the parish in 2024, down from 17 in 2023.

However, violent crime in St John the Baptist Parish dropped by 25%, with burglaries contributing the most to the decrease. There were 47 burglaries last year, a drop of almost 53% compared to 2023.