Reading daily reports of burglaries in Casa Grande doesn’t give the larger picture.

The city has shown a steady decline in the numbers since 2005’s 1,208, although there was a minor increase during 2011 at 625 and a larger one for 2012 at 775.

Speaking of the 2012 increase, Police Chief Bob Huddleston told the City Council during Tuesday’s study session, “that is pretty consistent across the United States. A lot of people attribute the increase in property crimes to the economy. When times are tough those crimes tend to increase.”

Looking back at annual Police Department reports on burglaries shows:

2004: 914

2005: 1,208

2006: 1,041

2007: 978

2008: 1,124

2009: 1,022

2010: 613

2011: 625

2012: 775