FBI:Violent Crimes Down in LR, Property Crimes Up

Little Rock is now a slightly safer place to be, according to new statistics from the FBI. But a decrease in violent crimes here is not as big as the decrease nationwide.

Violent crimes against people were down 1% in Little Rock in 2011compared to 2010. But, violent crimes nationwide went down 4%.

Property crimes in Little Rock actually saw an increase.

"We got a call from my husband saying the alarm is going off and someone's broken into the house," said Little Rock homeowner Stephanie Jackson.

This spring, Jackson became a statistic. Her home was one of thousands burglarized in Little Rock every year.

It was simple then, thieves simply knocked out the glass on her front door, unlocked it and walked in.

Crashing through the home, n minutes they made off with hundreds of dollars worth of electronics and Jackson's sense of security.

"Just not knowing were they still around, what did they take, you feel like someone has really invaded your privacy," Jackson said.

Property crimes, according to the FBI rose in 2011.

The city saw a 9% increase in burglaries, over the year before.

"Our crime is up a bit, we are aware of that," said Lt. Terry Hastings with the Little Rock Police Department.

Lt. Terry Hastings with Little Rock police says they've had to de-prioritize some property crimes because of an 80 officer shortage.

Murders took a more dramatic turn in 2011: up 48%from the year before. The numbers are already on pace to be higher this year.

A phenomenon Lt. Hastings says is hard to explain.

"When you start throwing in relationships and drugs into the mix, it makes it difficult to focus on why that goes up," Lt. Hastings said.

But with a recent sales tax increase soon helping to pump up patrols, Lt. Hastings says they predict property crimes will climb back down.

"I think 2012 will be a good year, I think 2013 will be even better," he said.

Jackson, though hopeful, says she's just more vigilant, installing security measures, locking doors, and looking out for her neighbors.

"There's gonna be crime, it's just the world we live in," said Jackson.

Lt. Hastings says it's hard to compare the FBI's numbers by city, because each reports them a little differently.

He says they keep track of their own and they're working hard to decrease crime.