Rocky Mount, N.C. — Rocky Mount leaders got together Monday afternoon to discuss reducing violent crime in a city that had 14 homicides in 2007, the most in 12 years  and two fewer than the record, and has seen three in January.

Rocky Mount Police Chief John Manley briefed the City Council on types of crimes being committed, as well as efforts to curb the violence.

“Crime is actually, even though we've had a tough year, it is down,” Manley said.

Several of the 2007 killings were high-profile cases, and one remains unsolved.

Manley said one of the biggest problems is repeat violent criminals not being kept in jail after they are arrested.

“Our worst of the worst, we feel, there are 15 to 25 people that continue to terrorize the community over and over and over,” he said.

It was a concern that Rocky Mount Councilman Reuben Blackwell echoed.

“The District Attorney's office needs to be more aggressive when prosecuting serious crimes,” Blackwell said.

“I've seen and worked with too many young people where it's a revolving door,” Rocky Mount resident Doris Marshburn said.

Marshburn said she believes the entire community needs to get more involved and that police officers should interact more with the public, "getting out of their cars and getting to know the people in the community.”

“Is anything holding you back from having all the resources you need?” Rocky Mount Councilman Tom Rogers asked Manley.

Manley told the City Council that his department is taking extra measures to prevent violence, such as putting more officers on the streets.