news-record.com

GREENSBORO – The NCAA men’s basketball tournament regional in Greensboro last week came without any major incidents occurring along the High Point Road corridor, Police Chief Tim Bellamy said Tuesday afternoon.

Bellamy, speaking at the monthly meeting of the High Point Road Merchant’s Association, said he expected some incidents near the Greensboro Coliseum given the number of visitors to the city, but ended up being pleasantly surprised. 

“We didn’t have any (reported) robberies, rapes, drug solicitations or much of anything,” the chief said.

“I’m very proud of the effort put forward by our officers and the community.”

Capt. Chris Walker, who oversees the police department’s Southern district, which includes the Coliseum, said the biggest issue over the past month in the area has been car break-ins, usually credited to cracked windows and unlocked doors.

Through the High Point Road Project – a collaborative effort between police, merchants and residents – the department developed a strategic plan last fall to target and reduce crime along High Point Road.

The effort led to a 36 percent reduction in serious crime from October to January.

Crime was down 24 percent overall in the Southern Division in February, Walker said.

Bellamy also said the police department’s new initiatives targeting gun violence, unveiled in late January, have led to the removal of 175 guns from city streets thus far.

The 12-point strategy, aimed at reducing shootings, includes an officer response to every call of gunfire, questioning anyone arrested with an illegal firearm about its origin and obtaining search warrants with the aim of seizing illegal firearms.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com