“Even if we’re losing police, we will always respond to all calls to service (and) we still take all crime reports,” East Lansing police Capt. Kim Johnson said.

A decrease in the number of reported larcenies makes up most of the overall reduction.

There were about 512 fewer reported crimes in East Lansing from 2001 to 2010. About 453 fewer larcenies were reported during that time period.

Although it’s unclear what caused the reduction in reported larcenies, there are several factors that might have influenced the drop, such as fewer larcenies being committed and decreased reporting, MSU School of Criminal Justice professor David Carter said in an email.

The reported thefts 10 years ago might have been committed by the same individual or group of suspects, and the number of larcenies would be reduced after they were caught or relocated, Johnson said.

Although East Lansing Police continue to participate in crime prevention programs in the city and at the university, they have not made any changes to target and reduce the number of larcenies, Johnson said.

But, in recent years, community members have worked more to ensure the city is safe.

For Rob Thompson, the Pinecrest Neighborhood coordinator who organizes a neighborhood watch, safety also is in the hands of the community.

Thompson and other residents in his neighborhood have called police multiple times to report suspicious activities.

“I’d like to think that our efforts in the neighborhoods are reducing the crime rate by being vigilant and reporting stuff in a timely fashion,” Thompson said.

East Lansing police Sgt. James Campbell began a citywide neighborhood watch program in February. Previously, a larger watch program was “nonexistent,” Campbell said.

Officers volunteered to represent different neighborhoods and attend monthly meetings with residents, he said.

Now, officers are working to communicate with the community to better understand threats or concerns before they become too serious, Campbell said.

“No matter how little the concern is, if it’s a concern to residents, it’s a concern to us,” he said.

At the end of the day, police and residents work together to help prevent crime and catch perpetrators, Johnson said.

More community involvement might have deterred criminals and led to the decrease in reported larcenies, Johnson said.

“Police normally don’t catch bad guys unless the community helps us catch them,” he said. “That’s how we get criminals off the street — with the help of the community.”