FIGHTING CRIME IN LITTLE ROCK
REMAINS #1 PRIORITY
By Scott Carter

“I share the commitment of the Mayor and City Directors that Public Safety is the number one priority of Little Rock City Hall. Sixty-seven percent of the city budget goes to public safety. The City takes a comprehensive approach to ensuring public safety. It involves not only the Police Department and the District Courts, but also Alert Centers, Rental Inspections, and Animal Services. The City has received national recognition for our Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment (PIT) efforts which continue to significantly reduce juvenile crime in Little Rock,” says Bruce Moore, Little Rock City Manager.

Little Rock has had 14 homicides so far in 2006 compared to 4 homicides at this time last year. One of this year’s homicides will be ruled justified leaving the current official count at 13 murders. Most of these homicides involved drugs, and the victims and suspects had some type of relationship. Of the 13 homicides, 10 have been solved resulting in a 76% clearance rate thus far this year.

Last year, Little Rock had a total of 41 homicides. Of the 41 homicides, 31 have been solved resulting in a clearance rate of 75%. The National homicide clearance rate for cities similar in size to Little Rock is less than 50%. Little Rock’s homicide clearance rate is well above the national average.

Aggravated Assaults are down for the first two months of 2006. To date, there have been 278 aggravated assaults compared to 304 for the first two months of 2005. For January and February of 2006, Little Rock had 91 Robberies compared to 111 at this point in 2005.

The Little Rock Police Department begins a new recruit class on Monday, March 27th with 21 new officers. The Little Rock Police Department continues to monitor crime trends and adjust patrol tactics as indicated. As evidenced by the increased crime clearance rates, our officers are making every effort to put these criminals in jail and make our streets safer for everyone. The citizens of Little Rock can be assured that Little Rock is a safe city.

Mayor Jim Dailey reports during a March 9, 2006 press conference, “Since 1994, the City has budgeted over $417 million on the Police Department alone. In 2006 a full 67% of the City’s budget is for public safety initiatives including Police; Fire; the Courts; Alert Centers; and Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment programs or PIT.”

We have spent over $33 million in PIT funds to alleviate the situations that lead to a life of crime. Our PIT efforts work. We know that. The crime rates among juveniles have significantly decreased since PIT began. Others know of the success too. Last year, Little Rock was named one of the Top 100 Communities for Young People. This recognition came, in large part, from our PIT efforts.”

The Mayor continues, “It saddens me to learn of killings in our City. Each death means the loss of potential and promise – not just for the victim, but for the perpetrator as well. But let me assure the citizens and visitors that Little Rock remains a safe city. Where do we go from here? I can assure you that the City Board, City Manager, Police Chief, and City employees join me in remaining committed to Public Safety.”

We are continuing to look at the underlying issues that have led to these homicides. Domestic violence, drug abuse, and poverty have all been factors. As I noted earlier, we have had successes in addressing these issues. But we are committed to expanding our efforts to address these problems.

Finally, I want to end my comments the same way I started them. Little Rock is a safe city for our law-abiding residents and visitors. We remain committed to keeping it that way.”

For more information on the City’s Public Safety efforts, contact Sgt. Terry Hastings at 371-4626 or Scott Carter at 371-4510.

The Center for Healing Hearts and Spirits is a project of the Women’s Council on African American, Affairs, Inc. (WCAAA).

Center for Healing Hearts and Spirits • Joyce Raynor, Executive Director
2416 South Chester • Little Rock, Arkansas 72206 USA
Phone (501) 372-3800 • Fax (501) 372-2150 • E-mail: hhscenter@sbcglobal.net