CLEVELAND, Ohio – Violent crime and serious property crimes in Cleveland dropped nearly across the board in 2018 for the second consecutive year, Cleveland police statistics show.

Serious property crimes such as burglary and theft were down 23 percent from 2017 and about 30 percent from 2016. About 19,030 property crimes were reported in 2018.

Violent crime was 18.6 percent lower in 2018 than in 2016 and about 15.3 percent below the 2017 level. About 5,520 crimes were reported in 2018.

The police department tallied the numbers in preparation for an upcoming meeting with Cleveland City Council’s Safety Committee.

During an interview with cleveland.com, Police Chief Calvin Williams attributed the declines to three factors:

More officers on the street and better enforcement.

Greater levels of engagement by officers, leading to a better relationship with residents.

Expanded programs for youth and the stationing of counselors in rec centers to address trauma and stress that can affect behaviors and lead to crime.

The numbers show a decline in seven of eight offenses classified as Part I crimes – homicide, rape, robbery, felonious assault, burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft and arson.

Rape cases increased 6.6 percent in 2018, with nearly 600 cases reported. It was the second consecutive year that rape cases have increased and the third time in four years.

But the cases for all other violent crimes – homicide, robbery and felonious assault -- declined for the second consecutive year:

Homicides, down nearly 8 percent from 2017.

Robbery, down more than 25 percent from 2017.

Felonious assault, down nearly 9.5 percent from 2017.

The decline in Part I property crimes was greatest in arson cases, which were down more than 40 percent from 2017.

The three other property crimes also dropped for the second consecutive year. Here’s a breakdown:

Burglary, down more than 21 percent from 2017.

Theft, down more than 26 percent from 2017.

Motor vehicle grand theft, down more than 11.5 percent from 2017.

In 2015, Cleveland entered into a consent decree with the U.S. Justice Department, agreeing to make reforms to law enforcement in the city, including the implementation of new policies on use of force and crisis intervention.

The agreement also covers improvements in community policing, staffing and recruitment and a review of the effectiveness of the Office of Professional Standards, which investigates citizen complaints against officers.

Building relationships between police and residents cannot be underemphasized, Williams said.

“Always, always, we are trying to reach out to the neighborhoods for their help as we try to drive crime down,” Williams said. “We’ve been able to make progress.

“Sometimes neighborhoods provide one key detail that helps solve a case.”