Newport News crime drops for fourth consecutive year
January 22, 2010 | Virginia News
Sixteen percent drop since 2004
Chief James D. Fox and the entire Newport News Police Department are pleased to report that the number of reported part one crimes, in Newport News, fell for the fourth consecutive year in 2009. When comparing the 2009 figures, crime has fallen 16% when compared to 2004. While any reduction is crime is good, with the economic situation everyone is facing in recent years, the five percent drop for 2009 is significant.
While crime fell by five percent in 2009, it is important to remember that while there was a 13% increase in crime in Newport News in 2005, crime fell by 7% in 2006 and again in 2007 and by one percent in 2008. These decreases in crime are the direct result of extremely hard work by your police personnel, along with the cooperation of the community and the assistance of other federal, state and local agencies. Because fighting crime is this agency’s top priority, we continue to work closely with the community which continues to join us in taking a no-nonsense team approach to combating crime. This team effort continues to play a major part in reducing crime. Crimes showing a decrease this year are Rape (-4% from 55 to 53), Robbery (-13% from 486 to 422), Aggravated Assault (-12% from 612 to 537), Burglary (-8% from 1412 to1298) and Larceny (-5% from 5116 to 4873). Motor Vehicle Theft increased from 375 to 426 a 14% increase and Homicide increased from 17 to 24 a 41% increase. Department leaders continue to refine operational plans on a regular basis in an effort to continue to reduce crime. It is important for the community to know that while many of these efforts are highly visible, many others include the not so obvious special operations and undercover officers. Once again, our message to the criminal is “we are coming after you”, and, our message to the good citizens of Newport News is that we are committed to working hard to make this City a safe place to live, work, visit and attend school. Chart comparing crime statistics year to year from 2004 to 2009: DOWNLOAD PDF.Next entry: U.Va. Honors Three Officers for Lifesaving Actions
Previous entry: Hutcheson Ready To Lead Woodstock Police Department
