Public officials, law enforcement agencies and the nation in general all have reason to reflect on the recently released preliminary Uniform Crime Report for 1980. Compiled by the FBI from statistics of more than 12,000 law agencies nationwide, the index shows over-all crime was up 10 percent from the previous year. Violent crime-murder. rape. robbery and assault – rose 13 percent. The statistics really hit home when you consider that 30 percent of American households (more than 24 million families) were touched by crime during 1980. Actually the proportion of households affected has remained quite stable for six years. says the Justice Department. But the report puts the crime picture in perspective on a personalized. easv-tounderstand basis. The Bureau of Justice Statistics, which compiles a National Crime Survey. reports that crime has risen every year since the survey started in 1974. though the percentage of families victimized has remained about the same. Based on contacts with 132.000 people twice each year. The National Crime Survey concluded that in 1980. 6 percent of all households were touch-rl by a violent crime; 14 percent by personal larceny away from home; 7 percent by burglary; 10 pericent by household theft: and 2 percent had motor vehicles stolen. Some suffered losses in more than one category. Effective law enforcement is important; so is public support for the law agencies. But householders themselves can do much for their own protection. One authority counsels: Beware of purse snatchers and pickpockets. Be careful on the streets at night. Keep good locks on your doors. with deadbolts: use locks or dowels for extra security with sliding doors and windows: leave lights on over outside doors and inside when you’re away. Use an electric inscriber to mark valuable items. Initials or closeup photos can help identify jewelry. Never leave valuables in an auto. and keep cars locked, even in the carport. In the event of a robbery. says the officer. don’t resist a gunman. but report what pertinent information you can. If you’re a witness to a crime or attempt. report it. And if you leave for an extended period. stop delivery of mail. newspapers and milk . . . and have a trusted friend watch your home. .