SYRACUSE -- Some good news for Syracuse, crime rates are going down. 2011 was safer in the city when compared to the last two years.
There were 13 homicides in Syracuse, a number that has been decreasing since 2009. Burglaries, stolen cars and other serious crimes are also down.
Its not all rosy in the city, as one crime stat is on its way up. In 2011 Syracuse Police received 273 calls for shots being fired, up from the prior year. The number of people injured when shots are fired is also up 16%.
Syracuse Police are already taking action, a community policing team called, "sweep" will be hitting the streets. Chief Frank Fowler says the numbers overall are good news. "It is certainly encouraging, especially when I talk about the sweep program. When you're living in one of those tough neighborhoods you can probably count on us paying you a visit with the sweep program sometime this summer," Fowler said.
Another tool that has been helping police take a bite out of crime are security cameras. Police want more put in place to track down more of the shots fired calls. "When we can afford them and go through the approval process to have cameras in our community, that is part of the strategy, no question about it," Fowler said.
What do you think? Is Syracuse a safer place right now? Should more be done to make sure crime stays out of the streets? Leave your comments below.
