Police Chief Credits District Patrols In Reducing Raleigh Crime

RALEIGH, N.C. — Crime is dropping in Raleigh and police chief Jane Perlov said her new district plan is a big reason why.

Three months into Raleigh's new system, reported crime is down in every major category -- 13 percent overall compared with the first three months of 2002. The biggest decrease: burgularies are down 23 percent compared to the same time last year.

"I'm really proud of the work our districts are doing, and I think they're the cause of this happening," Perlov said.

With districts, police map out where crime happens, then dedicate officers based on computer-generated statistics. That did not happen before the district system was put in place.

"There was nothing taylored to individual neighborhoods. We have a lot of neighborhoods in this city which require different tactics and strategies," Perlov said.

Before the districts, officers would jump into their cars and patrolled the city. Perlov said it was not effective.

"I have a very simple philosophy that random patrol does bring about random results," she said.

Southeast Raleigh resident Tyler Toulon likes the changes he has seen so far. He saids he hopes the effort will continue and expand.

"There's more presence of police and the police get closer to the community," he said. "It would help if there were more policemen walking the streets or maybe riding their bicycles."

Police primarily do bike and foot patrols downtown. Perlov said creative ideas will keep the department moving forward, and keep crime moving back.