It may be hard for some to believe, but despite a record-breaking homicide total, crime was down in HRM in 2011.

The year-end statistics will be presented at the police commission meeting on Monday, and they make for an interesting read.

At 18, the homicides in 2011 increased 64 per cent compared to the 11 in 2010. Attempted murders were also up from the previous year ‘ 68 per cent. But after that, the numbers start falling. Assaults were down almost two per cent, and other crimes committed against people were down 20 per cent.

Property crimes were down by 12 per cent, and prostitution showed one of the most dramatic changes ‘ dropping over 40 per cent.

Overall, Criminal Code infractions were down about 11 per cent for the year.

Coun. Sue Uteck, a member of HRM’s police commission, said she’s looking to discuss a new public-communication strategy at the meeting.

“We need to change that perception that Halifax is a dangerous place,” she said.

But there have been serious incidents in HRM which call for some careful examination, Uteck added.

Last year’s crime rate may be down from 2010, but 2010 was an unusual year.

The 2010 crime rate went up ‘ the first time in five years ‘ by four per cent, driven by a rise in property crime.

Coun. Jim Smith’s idea of a community-member task force is also on the agenda for Monday’s meeting. He wants a task force to look at the root causes of crime in the municipality and come back to council with several recommendations.