Crime stats showing marked improvements in Rock Hill

A midst a slow economic recovery and unemployment hovering near 20 percent in Rock Hill, local authorities say crime major crime statistics are down this year and are showing improvements over a ten-year average.

The city’s crime report, released last week, shows notable reductions in violent crime, including robberies, aggravated assaults and homicides. Rock Hill police chief John Gregory.

Gregory said they way his staff approaches crime prevention is unique, in addressing problem areas that combine not only sworn officers, but the community as well.

Gregory says while the federal funding for the Weed and Seed program ended last summer, his officers continue to work with community and faith-based organizations and embark in some unique tactics to get drug dealers off the streets.

Gregory says that cooling down led to a quick drop in crime — and changed the mindset of those living in the affected communities.

Gregory says a spike this year in vehicle thefts was mainly isolated to shopping and residential areas surrounding Interstate 77, and extra attention to these incidents has been paid to these areas — specifically around the holidays.