Friends, 

We saw tangible results from our comprehensive crime reduction strategy in 2023 and 2024, as crime rates dropped significantly both years. This is a testament to the dedication and hard work of not just the Little Rock Police Department, but also to the community advocates and city team members involved in prevention, intervention and treatment.

We know the transformational impact of programs managed or supported by the Office of Neighborhood Safety within our Department of Community Programs. These community-based initiatives help our youth and children break cycles of violence and adversity, giving them hope for a better future.

The City of Little Rock allocates between $5 million and $7 million every year to support specific violence prevention efforts through our Department of Community Programs. The funding supports partner agencies in addition to the City's own school-based and street-based interventionists and our successful re-entry, job placement and Midnight Basketball programs.

The Little Rock Board of Directors last week authorized contracts totaling $1 million for 10 of those partners. This money funds after-school and out-of-school positive prevention programs for children ages 6 to 12. These organizations served nearly 1,000 students in 2024. 

Within City Hall, we established our Office of Neighborhood Safety three years ago. There, our school-based intervention team works to identify students who are at risk of failing in or dropping out of school, in partnership with the Little Rock School District. Interventionists work with the students and school district to make sure students stay in school and receive positive intervention plans and strategies.

Our street-based intervention team works with residents ages 13 to 30 in neighborhoods within the City identified as high-crime areas. These interventionists connect residents with resources and programs to enhance and improve quality of life. For instance, a member of our street team recently assisted a 24-year-old man with resume preparations and job applications. This opened the door for a permanent job and promotion at a local business.

That's just one example of the commitment our team shares to keep Little Rock safe and improve the quality of life for all our residents. Through Feb. 3, total crime was down 18 percent in Little Rock compared to the previous five years.

We know we have more work to do in order to reduce homicides, prevent crime and eliminate the negative perception of crime in Little Rock. Through our holistic strategy involving both LRPD and our Department of Community Programs, we are continuing to do that work.
 

• The Little Rock Board of Directors will set the agenda for its next regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 4 p.m. in the Board Room at City Hall, 500 W. Markham St. All board meetings are livestreamed on the City of Little Rock Facebook and YouTube pages.
• On Thursday, Feb. 13, at 4 p.m., the Little Rock Planning Commission will meet in the Board Room at City Hall. At this meeting, the Commission will consider items that had been previously on the agenda for the January meeting, which was postponed because of inclement weather.
• Little Rock's Racial and Cultural Diversity Commission meets on Thursday, Feb. 13, at noon at the Willie L. Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center, 3805 W. 12th St. 
• Little Rock city offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 17, in observance of Daisy Gatson Bates Day and Presidents Day. Regularly scheduled waste and recycling pickup will be delayed by one day next week because of the holiday. The next Mayor's Monday Memo will be delivered to e-mail inboxes on Monday, Feb. 24. As a reminder, you can sign up to receive the Memo and news releases from the City of Little Rock.