The city of Chester is reporting an 85 percent decline in homicides since June, writes Kenny Cooper for WHYY.
The summer of 2024 saw seven homicides. There has only been one homicide this summer.
Reports of arson, assault, burglary, robbery, sexual assault, and theft dropped as well.
“All of this comes from nothing but networking, collaboration, and partnership,” Police Commissioner Katrina Blackwell said..
Operation Chester Safe Summer, launched in June, may have something to do with the good numbers.
The initiative puts more law enforcement personnel on neighborhood foot patrols to improve the relationship with the community.
Local nonprofits were also contacted to host community events.
The Memorial Park pool was opened, and a summer food program was organized to feed kids.
There were block parties in targeted neighborhoods, and city officials set up violence prevention phone calls.
“These are great numbers,” Councilmember Fred Green said. “It just shows that crime is down and Chester is on the move.”
This summer is in sharp contrast to 2018, when Chester was declared one of the “murder capitals of America.”
In fact, Chester’s downward crime trends were starting before the summer, with only 32 reported cases of assault and seven instances of homicide from January to June.
Read more about Chester’s crime rate success at WHYY.
