Target 11 investigator Rick Earle has been pouring through three years worth of FBI crime statistics for communities across western Pennsylvania.

Earle concentrated on four categories including assaults, property crimes, thefts and burglaries.

Indiana Borough is a picturesque small town in Indiana County about an hour from Pittsburgh. The main street looks like a Norman Rockwell painting. It's also the birthplace and hometown of legendary actor Jimmy Stewart and home to 15,000 college students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

But Target 11 discovered a not-so-flattering claim to fame for this college town. We found a dramatic rise in aggravated assaults -- from 32 in 2008 to 183 in 2010.

"I think there's been an enhanced consumption of alcohol over the past several years that's contributed to the assaults. I also believe there is a different mindset. Instead of walking away or downplaying it to a pushing match, our young men feel compelled to fight and stand their ground. I think we are seeing more of that," said Indiana Borough Police Chief Bill Sutton, who also believes an increased police response has contributed to the higher numbers.

Some IUP students and residents we spoke with were surprised by the big jump.

"I don't know what we are doing differently; I think the partying has gone down so you would think it would have gone down," said Jessica Miceli, an IUP senior.

"I've livedhere for 20 years and came here from Pittsburgh and I've always felt safe," said Indiana Borough resident Mark Skalican.

Indiana Borough also saw a spike in vandalism and drug crimes.

"We don't suspect drug usage and drug dealing has increased much. What we suspect is our enforcement hasincreased," said Sutton.

After scanning crime reports for counties in our area, Indiana Borough isn't the only place where certain crimes are on the rise.

In Baldwin, we found a jump in both burglaries and thefts. In West Mifflin, there was an increase in thefts and property crimes. In Aliquippa, burglaries are up but thefts are down.

We found other communities where certain crimes are down, too.

In Jeannette, we discovered a big drop in violent crimes, aggravated assaults and property crimes.

"I didn't know they were down but I'm glad to hear that," said Vicky August, a Jeannette resident.

At Mimi's Kitchen on Clay Avenue in Jeannette, owner Marti Scalzitt told Target 11 she believes there's a reason those three crimes are down in her town.

"Police have been walking the beat on Friday and Saturday evenings with a dog. It makes people feel safer. I've never been robbed. I've never been attacked. I've never been assaulted. It's a safe community," said Scalzitti.

In the city of Butler, we uncovered a drop in violent crimes, aggravated assaults and thefts. In Hopewell Township, there were big drops in violent crimes and aggravated assaults.

But neighbors we spoke with in communities where certain crimes are down said they know it can all change in a matter of seconds.

"You now what, there's crime everywhere. It doesn't matter where it is," said Scalzitti.

One interesting trend we discovered in Jeannette was a rash of arsons.

Click on the link to view the crime stats from your neighborhood.

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