Sentinel staff report–
Latest crime data released by the Citrus Heights Police Department shows a sharp rise in burglaries in the city so far in 2017, compared to the same period last year. Data also shows an overall decrease in violent crimes, largely due to a drop in assaults as well as zero homicides in 2017.

Through August of this year, a total of 492 vehicle burglaries were reported in the city, up 47 percent compared to the same period last year. Residential and commercial burglaries also rose sharply, with 312 reported through August, compared with 227 during the same period last year — a 37 percent increase.

Violent crime in the city has fared better, with a 19 percent drop in assaults and a 100 percent drop in homicides. Reports of rape have tracked about the same as 2016, but robberies — defined as taking personal property by force — rose from 49 reports last year to…