A 16-year study reveals that crime is on the decrease in Bluffton. Rick Skilliter, Bluffton police chief, shared the study, which shows annual incidents reported to police from 1995 to 2010.

The high year was 1998 with 498 incident reports. The low year was 2010 with only reports.

Skilliter said that 2010 was the "friendlest" - safest year to live in Bluffton during this report period. Dick McGarrity of council praised the police department by stating that much of the reason for this decline belongs to their efforts.

Incidents by year follow:

1995 - 359
1996 - 401
1997 - 432
1998 - 496
1999 - 409
2000 - 456
2001 - 436
2002 - 416
2003 - 318
2004 - 408
2005 - 420
2006 - 317
2007 - 376
2008 - 373
2009 - 379
2010 - 290