Crime down in Laurel

By Eloria Newell James, community@laurelleadercall.com

July 01, 2009 11:14 am

— City officials are reporting record lows in the city’s crime rate.
Laurel Police Chief Walter “Bear” Martin said public support along with aggressive patrolling have had an impact on crime prevention and protection in the city.
Deputy Police Chief Tyrone Stewart emphasized that citizens’ involvement in community projects is a key component in the fight against crime.
Officials said the Police Department’s sponsorship of Night Out Against Crime, along with the city’s summer programs, are making a difference.
“This is the first year since I can remember that we have had two summer camps (one at the Cameron Center and one at Oak Park) going on for our young people,” Stewart said. “These programs are having an impact on the lives of our young people.
“My 12-year-old son is attending one of the camps and I can see the difference in him, compared to last year with him having nothing to do for the summer,” the deputy police chief said. “Night Out Against Crime, which we conduct each year, is also a part of that effort.”
Stewart said Night Out Against Crime, which is conducted in August, is designed to encourage children to stay in school.
Tuesday, volunteers with Night Out Against Crime worked at the Laurel Police Department Station to begin preparing for the annual event, which is scheduled to be held on Aug. 4.
Stewart also praised those who work with the Night Out project, especially Sgt. Shannon Caraway, who coordinates the event, and Melicia “Teya” Cooper and Bonnie Conner, who assist in the planning of the event.
Police officials said according to local statistics, Laurel’s Police Department has seen some positive results from its efforts.
“All crimes are down,” said Capt. Tommy Cox, LPD’s patrol division commander. “According to our statistics, crime is down and our stats are maintaining stability.”
Stewart said communicating with residents, while also providing them with quality police services, have made a difference.
“We are making sure we are out there and working to stay visible,” Stewart said. “We are working with the public and just trying to ensure the safety of our residents.”
Laurel had four murders in 2008 and suspects in all of them have been identified and taken into custody.
However, officials Tuesday were proud to announce that they have not had any homicides reported in the city halfway through 2009.
According to police records, which are annually reported nationally as part of the Uniform Crime Report (UCR) reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, crime in Laurel is down.
“This is the first time in several years that we have gone this far into the year without a homicide,” Stewart said. “I realize that you can’t prevent all crimes, but we are thankful that we’ve made it this far.”
According to the records, Laurel had four murders in 2007, which is the same number of murders recorded in 2008.
Police officials said the UCR for the first six months of this year with detail numbers should be available for release soon.
However, officials say the report should be favorable.
“From 2006-07, our crime rate went down 19 percent. Then from 2007-08 it went down 13 percent,” Cox explained. “Now the first six months of this year, we are holding steady compared to the first half of 2008.
“More importantly, we have had no homicides so far this year,” Cox added. “The public is really pitching in and helping us.”
Stewart credits public support as also being a key to making a difference in the crime rate.
“We’ve received cooperation from citizens and that has really helped out a lot,” the deputy police chief said. “We just appreciate the work that everyone has done to keep crime down in Laurel.”