MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The FBI released new crime statistics reflecting the Macon-metro area, ranking it third for violent crimes in Georgia. The city is down in property crimes, but the region ranks first.

The Macon-metro area consists of five counties, including: Macon-Bibb, Twiggs, Monroe, Crawford and Jones counties.

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The city is making sure people know these numbers aren’t a reflection of just Macon.

“There is a statistic that you can find that can prove any argument that you want to prove. Some say crime is off the chain, we’re one of the most dangerous area in the country. Then you can also find statistics for certain areas that we’re one of the safest areas,” Macon-Bibb County Sheriff David Davis said.

Latest crime stats place the Macon-metro area third in the state for violent crime. Since 2016, the metro area reported 872 violent crimes. According to the FBI’s latest stats, the metro area is up 21-percent. With reports of over 1,000 violent crimes.

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“This year, outside of the homicides, we’re showing some plateauing or even lessening in some of our property crimes,” he said.

Sheriff Davis adds, this year, Macon – itself – is down in property crimes. When you include the rest of the metro area, the stats put us at first in the state. Reports say still there’s a four-percent decrease in property crimes. Going from over 9,400 in 2016 to just over 9,000.

“When you group us all together, you make general assumptions which may or may not be factual in each individual locality,” he said.

Visit Macon Director Valerie Bradley doesn’t want these stats to drag Macon’s name in the mud, or shy away from visiting because the numbers don’t reflect just Macon.

“The perception that they may have had in the past, it has definitely changed and we want them to experience all the great things we got going on,” she said.

Sheriff Davis says they do use these stats to asses plans and movements going forward.

The same FBI reports shows, in Warner Robins metro area, that violent crime is down 16-percent. That area includes Houston, Peach, and Pulaski counties.