Anderson County crime continues to drop

Image by Anderson County Sheriff’s Department

An analysis of criminal offenses reported to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department shows a significant decline since 2007, authorities said. The most significant drop in crime numbers occurred from 2011 to 2015.

Here are some of the highlights, according to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department:

The overall number of crimes reported to the Sheriff’s Department decreased 67.95 percent from 2007 to 2015. In addition, crime is down throughout Anderson County, the Sheriff’s Department said.

Image by Anderson County Sheriff’s Department

Since 2007, crimes against people have decreased 71.57 percent, crimes against property have decreased 65.24 percent, and crimes against society have decreased 73.12 percent.

Image by Anderson County Sheriff’s Department

“This drop in overall crime can be directly attributed to proactive law enforcement and increased patrols of the rural areas of the county,” the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department said. “Added personnel in 2007 and 2008 have allowed directed patrols and enhanced investigations of property crimes.”

A Sheriff’s Department press release said a proactive team of patrol deputies was formed in 2008. The Aggressive Criminal Enforcement (ACE) Unit targets burglaries and thefts not only by beefed up patrols but also in serving arrest warrants on those offenders involved in criminal activity.

“This has been an effective tool in combating crime and has been copied by other law enforcement agencies in our area,” the press release said.

Crime analysis and mapping have allowed deputies to patrol “smarter” in areas where crimes are occurring, the release said. Crime analysis has also linked burglaries to offenders resulting in arrests and a significant drop in burglaries and thefts over the last five years. A daily crime report is forwarded to all deputies and investigators noting where crimes are occurring. A crime map shows “hot spots” and prediction zones so patrol deputies are aware of where and when these crimes are happening.

Crime prevention and programs such as Neighborhood Watch have also helped to reduce crime in Anderson County, the press release said. A full-time crime prevention officer was established in 2009 and has allowed the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department to interact with the community and use their “eyes and ears” to thwart criminals.

“Neighborhood Watch is one of the oldest and most effective crime prevention programs in the country, bringing citizens together with law enforcement to deter crime and make communities safer,” the release said.

Throughout the rural areas of the county, there are some 30 Neighborhood Watch groups keeping a close eye on their community.

“Neighbors watching out for neighbors has been a success, and the department thanks those volunteers who have made a difference,” the release said.

It said cooperation with other law enforcement agencies has also made a difference. Investigators share information with other agencies on a daily basis and by working together are solving cases and making arrests.

“This cooperation extends not only to our local police departments but to state and federal law enforcement agencies as well,” the press release said.

A close partnership with the District Attorney’s Office is yet another method to help reduce crime, the release said. Sheriff’s deputies and investigators work each day with the DA’s Office on ensuring cases are properly prepared and ready for court.

“A tough stance on crime by District Attorney Dave Clark has allowed successful prosecutions of criminal offenders and many of the habitual criminals in Anderson County are now in jail or prison,” the release said.

“Above all, this significant decline in reported crimes is from the hard work and dedication of the men and women serving with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department,” the press release said. “Sheriff’s deputies and investigators work tirelessly to combat crime. It is through their efforts these results were achieved and they are to be commended for all they do each and every day.”

All crime statistics are from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. These crime numbers are from reported incidents to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and are from the rural, unincorporated areas of the county. Crimes reported to the municipal police departments are not included. All crime statistics have been updated to the latest data from the TBI as of November 2016.

For more information, please visit http://www.tncrimeonline.com.

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department has completed an operational analysis showing statistics from 2001 to 2015.

Some of the highlights include:

An analysis of criminal offenses reported to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department shows a significant decline since 2007. The overall number of crimes reported to the Sheriff’s Department have decreased 67.95 percent from 2007 to 2015, a press release said. The most dramatic drop in crime numbers occurred over the last five years, from 2011 through 2015.

Image by Anderson County Sheriff’s Department

“This drop in overall crime can be directly attributed to proactive law enforcement and increased patrols of the rural areas of the county,” the press release said.

See the operational analysis here: media-release-operational-analysis-2015-11-21-2016.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

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