In 2009, overall crime was down 2.6 percent from 2008 , with a 13.1 percent drop in violent crime and a 1.3 percent drop in property crime, according to the Uniform Crime Report released by the State Bureau of Investigation
Laurinburg seemed to have a particularly bloody year in 2009 with five murders – the most any year since the SBI began keeping records in 1993. Nearly every other category of violent crime fell, however.
In 2009, there were just 120 violent crimes reported, with five murders, eight rapes, 34 robberies and 73 aggravated assaults. In 2008, there were 138 violent crimes reported with two murders, eight rapes, 47 robberies and 81 aggravated assaults.
In 2009, there were 1026 reported property crimes, with 354 burglaries, 626 larcenies and 46 motor vehicle thefts. In 2008, there were 1,038 property crimes with 385 burglaries, 591 larcenies and 62 motor vehicle thefts.
Police Chief John Evans said crime is generally low in the city, when compared to other similarly sized cities.
He credited the Neighborhood Improvement Team program, which put officers in problem areas, with the decrease.
Laurinburg police did a three month test of the NIT program, running from July 1 to Sept. 31 in 2009. The results were dramatic, especially in preventing aggravated assaults, which includes all nonfatal shootings.
In 2008, there were nine aggravated assaults in July, five in August and eight in September. In 2009, there was one in July, three in August and two in September.
The program has been running all of 2010 and Evans expects an even bigger decline in crime stats in the next report.
"There was a significant drop in the crime rate," Mayor Matthew Block said. "I think that one of the big factors is the Neighborhood Improvement Team. It has had a big impact by quickly getting problem areas under control."
He credited Evans with using community policing techniques to dampen crime.
"We have a long way to go and we hope that initiatives such as neighborhood watch, the citizens police academy and other initiatives get citizens working with police and bring the crime rate down even lower," Block said.
Reducing crime is a major issue for the city, he said.
"Bringing the crime index down is important, not only for the quality of life and safety issues, but also fro the growth of the city as we try to recruit people," Block said. "One of the things they are concerned with.... is the safety of the community."
Evans said other programs, such as the Gang Resistance Education And Training program, have also contributed to a drop in crime. He hopes to continue making strides in reducing the city's crime rate.
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