Local Crime Eases Despite U.S. Upswing

"Crime is at a minimum in Cambridge," Chief of Police Patrick F. Ready said yesterday, despite reports from FBI head J. Edgar Hoover that major criminal offenses throughout the nation rose 5.1 percent from 1950 to 1951.

According to Hoover's annual "Uniform Crime Reports," urban areas showed a 5.2 percent rise in major offenses, while rural districts climbed 5 percent. An increase of 253 serious offenses a day brought the number of major crimes committed in an average day up to 5,157.

Auto thefts increased by 15.3 percent, larcenies 7.1 percent negligent manslaughters 3.4 percent, and rapes, 1.3 percent.

Asked for more precise statistics on the local situation, Ready commented. "All I can say is things are pretty quiet around here."