Police: Chicago crime dropped 8 percent in March

Chicago police say crime across the city dropped 8 percent in March compared to a year ago.

Police say violent crime, including homicide and sexual assault, fell 10.7 percent last month. Aggravated batteries were down 17 percent.

Property crimes such as burglary and theft were down 7.5 percent. The one exception was motor vehicle theft, which increased by 21 percent.

Interim police Superintendent Terry Hillard says patrol operations are key to fighting and preventing crime. He recently moved more than 70 officers from specialized units back to patrol districts.

Police have said Chicago had 435 murders in 2010 — 25 fewer than during 2009 and the least since 1965 when there were 395 murders.