Major crimes down in Detroit

DETROIT, March 18 (UPI) -- The number of serious crimes reported in Detroit in 2004 was the lowest since 1963, the city's police chief says.

There were a total of 73,326 cases of murder, sexual assault, car theft, aggravated assault, arson and other major crimes during the year, the Detroit Free Press reported. In 1963, the total was just over 70,000.

Chief Ella Bully-Cummings credited Detroit residents with the downturn, saying they are willing to work with law enforcement to make the city safer.

Major crimes peaked in 1969 with 180,567 reported. But the city had far more residents then than it does now.

On the down side, homicides increased last year.