BENSON — A Johnston County town has put an end to an old tradition, and the results have been good for Benson. In September, the town council passed an ordinance banning cruising on Benson's main street. Now, police officers are not so concentrated in that area. Records show the ban has helped officers fight crime more efficiently in other parts of town.

Since the cruising ban was implemented, drug arrests in Benson have tripled. Traffic and driving while intoxicated violations are also down, even though the police department has not increased in size.