WAFF.com: North Alabama News, Radar, Weather, Sports and Jobs-FBI statistics show spike in robberies in Huntsville
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HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) - FBI statistics released Monday show a spike in violent crime in the city of Huntsville, compared to the same time period in 2008.
A Huntsville woman was robbed and shot on Leeman Ferry Road in January.
A Check-N-Go on University Drive was held-up by an armed robber in February.
Three armed intruders pulled off a violent home invasion in Edgemont Drive in March.
Those are three of the 587 violent crimes reported to Huntsville police from January to June 2009, a figure up about 10 percent from the same time period in 2008.
Deputy Chief Mark Hudson said one violent crime in particular has caused the spike.
"We know that robbery is climbing in our city and we're doing some things to try to help prevent and reduce robberies as well as catch the offenders and put them in jail," he said.
Hudson said robbery to individuals on the street is the most common type.
Overall robberies were up 17 percent from the previous year.
"Certainly, I think people need to get a little more attentive to their surroundings and secure their properties a little more," said Carlos Salgado, a Huntsville resident.
While violent crimes were up, property crimes were down nearly six percent.
"I do feel safe living in Huntsville, but I have noticed that there have been a lot more police out and a lot more going on in the city," said Keisha Williams, another Huntsville resident.
With nearly 400 officers, the Huntsville Police Department is the largest its ever been, that's more manpower to assign to the areas with the most need.
The FBI is expected to release crime figures for July through December 2009 in June 2010.
To see the FBI's crime data for Alabama, visit:
http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/2009prelimsem/table_4al-ca.html
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