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GREENSBORO — Statistics indicate that the numbers of homicides, robberies and burglaries in Greensboro have gone down from 2008 to 2009, and police officers are delighted.

“We’re extremely elated that we have any decrease in crime,”  said Chief Tim Bellamy, “especially in the times that we’re living in.”

Bellamy said this is the second year that the department has reported reductions in overall crime.

Violent crime in Greensboro dropped by 4 percent in 2009, and property crime declined by 3 percent, according to the police department.

Violent crimes include homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault. In 2009, 1,691 violent crimes were reported compared to 1,761 in 2008.

Police recorded 15,266 property crimes in 2009, compared to 15,799 in 2008.

The total number of reported crimes in the city dropped by 3 percent to 16,957 last year, or an average of 46.5 incidents per day.

The number of homicides, in particular, went from 33 in 2007 to 25 in 2008 and 18 last year.

Bellamy said police have become more vigilant around  areas where there have been several reports of gunshots.  Officers confiscated nearly 800 guns off the street in 2009, he said. 

Also, residents seem more willing to report crimes and suspicious activities.

“That shows that the police department, the community and other agencies are working together in an effort to solve a lot of our issues, he said.”

Capt. Janice Rogers, head of the criminal investigations division, said the men and women in uniform made notable arrests last year, helping to reduce crime.

“I personally attribute it to the hard police work, and the reason I say that is because we’ve had some very big cases this year and we’ve linked cases to one another.”

She noted that linking break-ins in New Irving Park to other burglaries across Guilford County helped in the arrest of 10 suspects.

“That offender who has multiple offenses, you’re taking that offender off the street,” she said.
 

Contact Dioni L. Wise at 373-7090 or dioni.wise@news-record.com