HIGH POINT, N.C. — High Point Police are working towards reducing and preventing violence in the city.
By using a strategy called focused deterrence, the police department works hand in hand with community leaders and even federal prosecutors to identify the crime problem and pinpoint who's behind it.
This way they are able to target enforcement and prevent more violence from happening.
At a meeting with city leaders Monday night, Chief Kenneth Shultz says there are signs of progress.
Over the last 5 years, violent crime has gone down.
In fact, 2018 was the second lowest year on record dating back to the early 90s. Robberies and rapes also went down.
"We are never satisfied with where we are at number one. So if we have one crime that's obviously too many. The trend that we are seeing those that we are moving in the right direction we are seeing good control our efforts right now though continue to be focused on those individuals that are driving up most violent crime," Chief Shultz said.
But there's a spike in assaults with a deadly weapon. Data shows 24 more than at this time last year.
To help lower the number of shootings, High Point will soon have access to a machine that reads fingerprints from bullet casings.
"So we are able to see if a criminal is moving from one place to another using that same gun or a group is using that same gun. This machine will help us see that. And I think that's going to help us solve crimes it's going to help us get trigger puller's off the street." Matt Martin U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of NC said.
Greensboro police use the same machine. The information is then entered into a database that's used to link crimes.
Chief Shultz says the more departments have access to it, the better the chance of getting criminals off the streets.