FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Fayetteville Police are working to make the city a much safer place.
- Rape cases decreased from 80 to 73, robbery cases were down from 213 to 176 and homicides went from 23 to 19.
- Police Chief Gina Hawkins attributes the decrease in crime to partnerships between the community and the police department.
- Unfortunately some crime is on the rise compared to 2017.
On Wednesday, the city's police chief, Gina Hawkins, released statistics showing the All-American City was safer than it was last year.
Rape cases decreased from 80 to 73, robbery cases were down from 213 to 176 and homicides went from 23 to 19.
Hawkins said she's worked on a number of crime fighting strategies to help the city. She attributes the decrease in crime to partnerships between the community and the police department.
"It has gotten a lot better the past few years," Cumberland County resident Jessica Hart said. "They've cleaned up a lot and I feel like they're doing their job."
Unfortunately some crime is on the rise compared to 2017.
Aggravated assault cases were up by more than 100 cases. Police arresting people with illegal drugs rose by 44 percent.