HPD chief says crime decrease due to increased visibility

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The Hanceville City Council is pictured at its regular meeting on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. (Cayla Grace Murphy)

HANCEVILLE, Ala. – At its second to last meeting of 2023, the Hanceville City Council had just four items on the agenda Thursday, Dec. 14. Among them was an update from Police Chief Joshua Howell, who shared data showing key differences in crime rates in Hanceville from 2022 to 2023. Howell said he believed decreases in some crimes, particularly thefts, were due to the department increasing its visibility throughout the city.

Howell reported:

  • Burglaries decreased from 21 to 15
  • Harassment cases decreased from 35 to 27
  • Vehicle pursuits increased from six to 15
  • Vehicle crashes decreased from 22 to 15
  • Vehicle thefts decreased from 14 to three
  • Thefts decreased from 101 to 47

“This tells me our guys are getting out there and actually patrolling, watching our neighborhoods,” said Howell. “Our guys are out there more; they’re working a lot harder.”

Smiled Councilman John Stam smiled, “Seems like a safe little town to live in.”

In other council business:

  • The council approved Resolution 771, to participate in the Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday
  • The council approved the first introduction of Ordinance no. 656 SAN GIUSEPPE, LLC “Gannon” Property Rezoning
  • The council approved the surplus of two vehicles for the Hanceville Police Department; vehicles are a 2022 Dodge 2500 and a 2022 Ford F150
  • The council approved a request from Town Clerk Tania Wilcox to change the due date of an equity line from the 19th of the month to the 10th of the month to line up with other due dates

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