THE PATROL SECTION OF THE DIVISION IS CHARGED WITH MAINTAINING A SUSTAINED EFFORT TO ACCOMPLISH THE PRIMARY POLICE FUNCTIONS OF PRESERVING THE PEACE, PROTECTING LIFE AND PROPERTY, AND APPREHENDING CRIMINAL LAW VIOLATORS. THE TRAFFIC SECTION PROVIDES LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS, SUPERVISES SCHOOL SAFETY PATROL, AND APPREHENDS BOTH CRIMINAL AND TRAFFIC VIOLATORS. MAJOR CONCERNS OF THE DIVISION ARE IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION, ENFORCEMENT, INVESTIGATION, STAFF SERVICES AND TRAINING, COMMUNICATION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT, AND OBTAINING FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PROJECTS. STATISTICAL DATA ON THE FOLLOWING CRIMES ARE PRESENTED FOR 1977 AND COMPARED WITH RATES FOR 1976: MURDER, RAPE, ROBBERY, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, LARCENY, AND AUTOMOBILE THEFT. THE DIVISION ACHIEVED A 17-PERCENT DECREASE IN CRIME BETWEEN 1976 AND 1977, AND CLEARANCES OF OFFENSES BY ARREST CATEGORY FOR 1977 TOTALED 35.6 PERCENT AS COMPARED TO 34 PERCENT FOR 1976. (DEP)