Crimes against the jewelry industry during 2002 resulted in a loss of $126 million, a 2.7% increase over the previous year's figure, the Jewelers' Security Alliance reported in its annual survey on crime in the jewelry industry.
The study, 2002 Annual Crime Report and Directory of Products and Services, also shows that homicides in connection with jewelry crime increased from 13 in 2001 to 16 in 2002. The study notes, however, that the total includes five family members who were slain in a single incident in December 2002 in Livonia, Mich.
The report shows an increase in on-premises crime, while incidents of off-premises crime fell significantly.
The drop in off-premises crime continues a trend that has been ongoing since off-premises crime reached its peak in 1999, says John Kennedy, JSA president. "Off-premises crime is down by about 50% from 1999."
On-premises crime. According