BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- Broome County's district attorney is hoping to change public perception on crime, and he's doing it with money out of his own pocket.
Steve Cornwell recently released a commercial, showing that the crime index is at its lowest in years. It's a way to clear up misconceptions about safety in Broome County.
He says while some may think crime is on the rise, arrests are at a 25 year low, and the crime index is at its lowest on record.
"It's so important that the citizens of Broome County know that we have completely changed course. They've got to know that and I want to spread the word so they know and can be proud of all the work everyone's done," said Cornwell.
Cornwell is linking the drop to aggressive law enforcement, and a decline in opioid and heroin use. He says drug offenders are now seeking treatment, rather than re-committing.
"Those things together, all the changes and partnerships that we have developed, we prevent crime before it happens, and the people that don't get it, we send more people to prison faster than ever before for longer sentences," said Cornwell.
Despite the spike in overdoses that was seen in March, those numbers have dropped once again, with three in April and two in May.
"We're at the low numbers, we're at the record low numbers that we had last year and we need to try to keep driving them down, driving them down by increasing treatment and opportunity for treatment we'll get that done," said Cornwell.
Despite the positive changes, Cornwell says his work is far from over.
"We're going to keep going full speed. I've got seven months left. I'm going to keep my foot buried down on the gas pedal and going and driving as hard as we can, so when I leave this office, I can walk away and know that it is in the absolute best position I could have left it in," said Cornwell.
Cornwell will not be seeking re-election following this term.