Violent Crime Numbers Down, but Do Citizens Feel Safer?
By: Karoline Wightman, KARK 4 News
Updated: February 6, 2013
North Little Rock Police say violent crime, aggravated robbery and property crime is down, and officers credit the community for reporting crimes when they occur for the improvement in the numbers.
However, some people say they don't neccessarily feel any safer.
North Little Rock Police say watching for trends and problem areas help cut down on crime, along with observant neighbors reporting crime when they see it.
But not everyone feels safety has improved.
"A safe place would be Park Hill, around Sherwood seems safe, but Rose City in my opinion, it's all gone down hill," says Raymond Wyles.
The numbers show violent crime, property crime and aggravated robbery all went down in the last year.
"We had a rash a few months ago and we started a little undercover operation the very first night that happened, and were able to catch the guys who had been doing that. So a little bit of luck and good police work at the same time," NLRPD Assistant Chief Mike Davis says.
In Little Rock, police say they're also seeing a decline in violent crime, but theft is up.
Little Rock Police track crime and watch for trends too, plus additional crime-fighting tools are coming. New recruits will soon patrol the streets, and recently-approved cameras will watch the city for crime.
"Eventually we'll have at least 50 cameras at different intersections," says LRPD's Sgt. Cassandra Davis. "They'll be visible to anyone, they'll be marked 'Police' with the blue light, and hopefully that will help with the deterrence of crime."
But some people say safety will always be a concern.
"I'm worried about southwest, it seems people are leaving and putting pressure on people who are here," says Patricia Brown.
NLRPD says the biggest issue officers face dealing with property crime is people not locking their doors, thus inviting thieves to rob them.
However, some people say they don't neccessarily feel any safer.
North Little Rock Police say watching for trends and problem areas help cut down on crime, along with observant neighbors reporting crime when they see it.
But not everyone feels safety has improved.
"A safe place would be Park Hill, around Sherwood seems safe, but Rose City in my opinion, it's all gone down hill," says Raymond Wyles.
The numbers show violent crime, property crime and aggravated robbery all went down in the last year.
"We had a rash a few months ago and we started a little undercover operation the very first night that happened, and were able to catch the guys who had been doing that. So a little bit of luck and good police work at the same time," NLRPD Assistant Chief Mike Davis says.
In Little Rock, police say they're also seeing a decline in violent crime, but theft is up.
Little Rock Police track crime and watch for trends too, plus additional crime-fighting tools are coming. New recruits will soon patrol the streets, and recently-approved cameras will watch the city for crime.
"Eventually we'll have at least 50 cameras at different intersections," says LRPD's Sgt. Cassandra Davis. "They'll be visible to anyone, they'll be marked 'Police' with the blue light, and hopefully that will help with the deterrence of crime."
But some people say safety will always be a concern.
"I'm worried about southwest, it seems people are leaving and putting pressure on people who are here," says Patricia Brown.
NLRPD says the biggest issue officers face dealing with property crime is people not locking their doors, thus inviting thieves to rob them.
