Serious crimes in Boston have fallen since the coronavirus shut down the city.
So-called "Part 1" crimes including rape and residential burglary dropped 15 percent overall in March compared to the same time last year, according to data released Wednesday by the Boston Police Department.
The total number of such crimes, 1,067, is at its lowest level in more than a decade as many residents stay indoors, city data shows.
The number of serious crimes committed in Boston in March has been dropping steadily since 2010.
Not all crime categories are in decline. Domestic aggravated assault cases increased last month compared to the same time last year, as did robberies — which generally do not involve a break-in.
Sergeant Detective John Boyle, a media spokesman for the Boston Police Department, said many crimes are down because people are at home but emphasized police are still doing their work.
“Police are still out there,’’ he said.
Boston police this week released a blog post listing “safety tips” for delivery drivers, including limiting the amount of cash they carry. They also urged anyone suffering from domestic abuse to call 911.
“The Boston Police Department recognizes the impact that COVID-19 is having on families in our community and the fact that some may find themselves confined with an abuser,” the post said. “To those in need of help, there are resources available to you.”
