A significant drop in the crime rate reported last week by the Statesboro Police Department is good news, indeed, and a positive sign that recent efforts at increasing cooperation between local law enforcement agencies is working. Based on data compiled by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, Part 1 crimes — the most serious and violent crimes — dropped 10.5 percent in 2014 compared to 2013. Part 1 crimes include theft, simple assault, burglary, aggravated assault, motor vehicle theft, robbery (armed and forcible), rape and homicide.