Murder rate in Fayetteville dropped by more than half

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) – The latest crime statistics for Fayetteville show a sharp decline in violent crime, but some property crimes have increased.

Community members expressed encouragement at the recent decline, but Police Chief Kem Braden said young people are responsible for the rise in car thefts – a problem he said needs more attention.

Braden said during Monday's city council meeting that murders fell by more than half from January to June compared to the same period last year. Rape cases fell by nearly 40%. There were also nearly 200 fewer assaults. Braden said the department could not say exactly why there were these sharp declines, but he believes the department's outreach efforts to people in need helped. He also noted that there were nearly 300 more arrests.

“Knowing that the likelihood of getting caught, the likelihood of being arrested and prosecuted is greater, means that people are probably less likely to come to the city of Fayetteville and commit crimes,” he said.

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Braden said the department's efforts to help people in need by working with religious leaders appear to be having success. Dr. Gregory Perkins, associate pastor of Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, is one of those religious leaders as the department's chaplain.

“If I have a bed to sleep in and a meal to eat, I'm least likely to try to rob a convenience store,” Perkins said. “If I feel like I'm a valued member of the community, I'm least likely to engage in illegal drug activity.”

The Phoenix Center, an anti-domestic violence organization, said it has also seen the impact of these community efforts.

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“Victims who may have been victims a year ago know they can turn to us, perhaps before violence even occurs,” said Deanne Gerdes, executive director of the Phoenix Center.

However, Braden said nearly 100 more cars were stolen in this latest report, and he noted that teens are targeting apartment complexes.

“To mitigate that, we will focus our response on those apartment complexes and neighborhoods, during the hours when we know the children are there…” Braden said.

Community activist Swan Davis said this is a sign that Fayetteville's teenagers need more constructive activities and opportunities to improve their lives.

“I think if we can find activities that they can do after work year-round, that would be a great thing that would help reduce the additional activities our youth have to do,” Davis said.