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Friends,
Arkansas's capital city sustained four unrelated homicides last week. We grieve with the families and loved ones of the victims, and we are united to ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice.
As a Mayor, faith leader and son of Southwest Little Rock, I am pained by every homicide in our City, no matter where it occurs. One murder is one too many.
I am also grateful to the men and women of the Little Rock Police Department whose around-the-clock investigative efforts last week resulted in identifying and issuing arrest warrants for suspects in all four murders. Our capture rate for homicide suspects is 87 percent, substantially higher than the national average.
Residents of Little Rock and our guests should be assured that LRPD is always working to make our streets safer. Public safety is our top priority, and with that we strive to challenge the perception of crime in our City.
On Friday, I joined LRPD Chief Heath Helton for a news conference where we reiterated our commitment to a holistic and comprehensive crime reduction strategy that has brought long-term, positive results to Little Rock.
It is important for our residents to know that overall crime for the month of January was down about 19 percent compared to a five-year average. In 2024, homicides were down 42 percent and violent crime decreased by about six percent.
We recognize statistics do not necessarily negate a perception, yet at the same time this data demonstrates the kind of long-term improvement in crime reduction that our residents demand and expect.
However, last week's incidents indicate we still have more work to do.
So, Chief Helton and LRPD have increased their targeted patrols in high-crime areas of our City. As a data-driven City government, LRPD is guided by real-time information about crime hot spots and trends, leading to more effective policing.
Chief Helton has also pledged to redirect personnel and resources toward taking illegal guns off our streets and out of the hands of would-be offenders.
Through pay raises, sign-on bonuses and other incentives, we have cut LRPD vacancies in half, from 120 to about 60. We just welcomed a recruit class of 22 officers to the department last week, and we will continue to consider other strategies to support recruitment and retention.
Together, we ask residents to assist us, as we know that reducing crime must be community driven. And it takes all of us. So, residents with tips or information can report that anonymously to (501) 371-4636 or by downloading the YourLRPD app.
Businesses and residents can support our Eyes on The Rock initiative by either integrating their cameras with the Real-Time Crime Center (businesses) or registering (residents) the locations of any camera systems. The Real-Time Crime Center and associated technology serves as a force multiplier for our police department.
In addition, an integral part of our holistic approach to crime reduction is through community prevention, intervention and treatment programs. The City allocates about $5.5 million annually for nonprofit organizations and programming that promote positive alternatives for our youth and children.
On Tuesday, the Board of Directors will be asked to allocate a total of $1 million of that funding to 10 different programs operated by community partners.
Let me be clear, we are angry about last week's senseless violent crimes. We offer our prayers and support to those who are hurting. And we will never change our resolve and commitment to the safety of Little Rock residents.
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