10.9.24 – KATV – LITTLE ROCK
City officials gathered at Little Rock City Hall on Wednesday to discuss crime in the city.
“I am happy to report that crime is not only down year-to-date -4%, particularly as it relates to violent crime, it is down -6% over the last five years,” Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. said.
Little Rock Police Chief Heath Helton added that the number of homicides decreased in 2024.
“We have seen a decrease of 28% in our homicides from this time last year, 7% in rapes are down. We have seen a 6% decrease in robberies in our community and then 3% in our aggravated assaults,” Chief Helton said.
Scott credited that downward trend in crime to multiple approaches the city and the Little Rock Police Department (LRPD) have taken, mentioning historic raises for police officers as well as money that has gone toward the Real Time Crime Center and crisis response teams.
Overall, Chief Helton said there is more work to be done when it comes to preventing crime and it starts with you.
Helton said on average in Little Rock, six guns are reported stolen every week.
“We are overall down in all categories with exception to one- when it comes time to burglaries and car break-ins. We see a 4% overall increase in that. So what we need to do is really encourage our community to lock up your cars. Take your property out of your cars,” Helton said.
Helton highlighted the success of Eyes on the Rock, an initiative that encourages community members to register their home security cameras with LRPD.
“Our Real Time Crime Center has been a huge part on why we have seen a downward trend in crime and we have got to continue that. Everybody has a role in helping to make our city safe and just simply registering and getting on board, that is going to help us,” Helton said.
Little Rock police also discussed safety measures they would be taking at the Arkansas State Fair this year and said officers from multiple agencies will be stationed at the fair to ensure everyone stays safe.