WACO, TX — The Waco Police Department released the latest calculated crime statistics for 2018.
The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR) calculated the majority of Waco's violent crimes trend in a positive direction.
"We know for the last several years, we've actually been on a downward trend for the overall crime rate," said Sergeant Patrick Swanton of Waco PD.
Sgt. Swanton explained Waco's murder, sexual assault, and robbery rates have decreased significantly.
"We believe that partnership is what helps Waco the past few years keep that crime rate where it belongs, going down," said Sgt. Swanton.
Due to Waco's population boom, Sgt. Swanton explained the need for more enforcement was necessary, and Waco City Council helped fill the need.
"They're providing those additional cops on the street. This year they've actually added additional officers to our force. We were at 253. I think they've added another 6 or 7 officers," said Sgt. Swanton.
But Waco PD explained the decrease of violent crime in Waco is not just due to the city's law enforcement.
"Watch out for each other, the old saying, "See something, say something," is so imperative, because a phone call that may just be of a suspicious person to you could be someone fixing to break into your neighbors home. Now if we get that call and come out there, we've circumvented a crime potentially. Now we have stopped that crime from happening because somebody simply placed a phone call," explained Sgt.. Swanton.
"We believe in this city. We believe in this community, and in its citizens, and we want them to feel comfortable approaching and talking to us and visiting with us, and know that they're safe in and around their neighborhoods.," Sgt. Swanton continued. "We're doing a pretty good job at those relationships and the rapport, and we're going to continue to do that. When people want to be here, and they feel welcomed into the neighborhood and into the community, that is going to do nothing but make positive change and we're all about that."
