POST FALLS - Overall crime in Post Falls increased 5.6 percent in 2009 from 2008, according to statistics released Wednesday by the police department.

"That's always concerning for us, but one of the fortunate things is that Post Falls continues to be an extremely safe community," Chief Scot Haug said.

The increase comes on the heels of a 10 percent jump in 2008. Crime in Post Falls has been a mixed bag in recent years, rising in three of the past five.

Crimes against property, which rose 15.5 percent from 832 offenses to 961, are a factor behind the increase. Vandalism, part of that category, went from 182 cases to 219, burglaries from 95 to 106 and thefts from 472 to 549.

"I think the economy had a big effect on that category and on crime in general," Haug said. "Generally speaking, it had a lot to do with the lack of money."

Haug believes growth wasn't as much of a factor in 2009 as the economy slowed Post Falls' population increase from previous robust years, but it still inched up to roughly 28,000 people so it likely contributed some.

"Any time you grow, the chances for increased crime is more likely," he said.

Total arrests increased 12.1 percent, from 1,175 in 2008 to 1,317 in 2009. The biggest factor behind that rise was due to liquor law violations, which increased from 98 to 185, many of those minor in possessions.

"We had MIPs where we arrested 20 people at a time," Haug said.

Haug also attributes the arrest increase to a bigger police force. The department added two more officers and a detective in 2009, raising the ratio from 1.2 officers per 1,000 residents to 1.5.

"That has made a significant impact on our ability to be more proactive," he said, adding that no additional officers are being added in 2010.

Crimes against people decreased 7.3 percent from 314 to 291.

Drug violation, aggravated assault, fraud, stolen property, forcible fondling and intimidation offenses were all down in that category, which had increased about 22 percent in 2008.

"To see that number go down was promising," Haug said.

He said he's also pleased to see that crimes against society decreased 10.5 percent from 256 to 229 after it rose 77 percent in 2008.

"It's disappointing that overall crime is up, but it helps when crimes against people and society are down," he said.