FLORENCE — The crime rate is falling in Florence on the Oregon Coast despite fears by its opponents that the Three Rivers Casino would boost the rate when it opened in 2005.

The Register-Guard newspaper reports the overall crime rate has dropped from 68 occurrences per 1,000 residents to 33 since 2005 in Florence — more than half. Burglaries, thefts, criminal mischief and drug offenses all declined. The only statistically significant increase since 2005 has been the number of citations for driving under the influence of intoxicants.