From 2009 to 2011, violent crimes in Hall County, counting those committed inside city limits, have decreased more than 18 percent.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s uniform crime report, violent crimes throughout Hall County have decreased, continuing an annual trend for the area.

The FBI counts murder, non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery and aggravated assault as violent crimes.

But, law enforcement officials said, it’s hard to determine a specific reason for the decline.

“It’s very hard to determine (why), especially from a law enforcement perspective,” said Cpl. Kevin Holbrook, spokesman for the Gainesville Police Department.

“Of course, we’re very thankful the numbers are down and there are a number of reasons that could be, but it’s hard to pinpoint the exact reason.”

In 2007, Gainesville saw 184 violent crimes, including two murders or non-negligent manslaughters.

In 2011, the total number dropped to 116.

Violent crimes committed in the county also declined nearly 32 percent from 2007 to 2011.

Over that time period, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office reported 12 killings, about 1 percent of the total violent crimes.

Even smaller agencies reported a decline in crimes. Oakwood reported 21 violent crimes in 2008. In 2011, that number had dropped to seven.

“Out of fairness, I can’t say ‘we’re doing this, we’re doing that,’” said Randall Moon, Oakwood’s police chief. “But since 2008, our department has grown by, I think, three officers, which has allowed us through scheduling to put more officers on the road 24/7.”

He said in 2008, only two officers were on night patrol. Now the city puts three on the streets at night.

The Flowery Branch Police Department has reported only three violent crimes since 2007. All three, officials said, came in one 2011 incident.

Lt. David Spillers, who is acting as the department’s interim chief, said the unit has a “very proactive patrol.”

“The officers maintain a very high level of visibility,” he said.

“Some people don’t like it because it occasionally results in some increased citations.”

Spillers said he encourages his officers to develop relationships with Flowery Branch’s residents.

“I tell my officers if they see someone they don’t know in town, they need to go introduce themselves,” Spillers said.

It’s that kind of patrol, he said, that helps keep crimes to a minimum.