For the eighth year in a row, serious crime fell in Rock Island last year. This week, police chief Jeff VenHuizen gave his annual report to the city council.
The number of murders, criminal sexual assaults, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries, thefts, car thefts, and arsons dropped 19 per cent from the previous year. And violent offenses dropped 29 per cent - including murder, manslaughter, rape, and aggravated assault.
VenHuizen thinks one reason for the improvement is his department's partnerships in the community.
Credit RI Police Dept.
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RI Police Dept.
He also credits a greater emphasis on crime analysis.
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Identify crime prone areas and people most likely to commit crime.
The chief also points to the hard work of his officers, and special units including crime suppression and downtown patrols.
