Major Crime Down 7 Percent in Hampton

June 6, 2007

Crime and Grime Initiative Has Huge Impact

From 2005 to 2006, major crime in Hampton is down 7 percent - the lowest it has been in a decade.

The Crime and Grime initiative against blighted, slum, and repetitive drug properties has been spreading the message that Hampton has a no tolerance attitude toward crime and grime . and the message is getting through.

There has been a marked decrease in the number of violations cited on neighborhood patrols and an increase in self-initiated improvements in residential property.

"You and I know we cannot allow our neighborhoods to be held hostage by criminal activity or slum lords," said Mayor Ross A. Kearney, II. "This program has already made a huge difference in everything we do in our community and we're seeing good results."

The Crime and Grime initiative was begun in January 2006 as the city, under the direction of Mayor Kearney and City Council, initiated an aggressive campaign against blighted, slum, and repetitive drug properties. The goal of the program is to reduce the incidents of concentrated crime and grime and to stabilize neighborhoods.

Those within the community play a vital role in defending the vitality and integrity of Hampton's neighborhoods. The effectiveness of the Crime and Grime initiative lies in the effort of neighborhood district teams and crime and grime patrols. The district teams, composed of neighborhood commissioners, community leaders, and city staff, identify areas that crime and grime patrols should target, problem properties that require specialized actions, and issues that need to be referred to city departments.

The crime and grime patrols meet monthly to drive through the neighborhoods, identifying codes violations and reviewing progress. These groups of citizens and city staff are a visible reminder to all residents that the preservation of Hampton neighborhoods is a priority.

Currently nine out of ten neighborhood districts have strategy and/or Crime and Grime patrol teams.

The Hampton Police Department continues to make the Crime and Grime initiative a priority through increased patrols and traffic stops. This year's report showed fewer search warrants, fewer arrests, and fewer guns seized which indicates perpetrators are getting the message that they are not welcome in Hampton.

In addition, increased police presence in schools has lead to building relationships with students, which in turn, as these students graduate and become adults, offers additional partners in this fight against crime and grime.

"Without the citizens we fail," said Chief of Police Charles Jordan. "We are winning because they are helping us."

For more information on the city's Crime and Grime Initiative, contact Hampton's Neighborhood Office at 727-6460.

To view a video presentation that provides this info in more detail, Click Here.