Statistics Don't Support Claims of Rising Crime
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ESTABLISHED 1879 | COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI C DISPATCH.COM FREE! FRIDAY | JULY 6, 2018 Statistics don’t support claims of rising crime Inside Violent crime dropping in Columbus; ■ PROPERTY CRIME: Property Crime statistics summary numbers flat in Starkville crime rising locally. Page 3A By year in Starkville BY ISABELLE ALTMAN an anomaly and violent crime 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 [email protected] rates have decreased since. one year where Murder 0 1 1 0 2 1 2 According to statistics pro- there seemed to In January 2017, then Co- Colom Aggravated vided by Columbus Police De- be some really 32 32 47 28 35 28 13 lumbus Police Chief Oscar partment, murder, aggravated some significant crime was assault Lewis answered a reporter’s assault, robberies and sexual 2016.” Robbery 16 11 12 12 21 12 3 question about the city’s crime assaults have all decreased Starting in 2012, the murder Sex crimes 19 14 15 34 21 32 11 rate with a promise that vio- since 2016. rate gradually increased, with lence was on the rise and that “I think crime has leveled one reported to CPD in 2012, Burglary 468 217 303 391 344 468 150 a biblical end-times prophesy out,” District Attorney Scott two in 2013, three in 2014 and was being fulfilled. Colom said. “As far as I see, 2015 and peaking at seven in during that time, with 86 in partment show violent crime At the time, Columbus had you’ll see one year there’ll be 2016. A year later, it decreased 2015, 63 in 2016 and 50 in 2017. has remained at marginal lev- just seen an unusually high an increase in robberies but to two. So far in 2018 there has CPD received reports of 25 ag- els — with the prominent ex- number of murders (seven), a decrease in burglaries. The been one murder reported in gravated assaults in the first ception of two murders SPD and the city had a reputation next year, there’ll be a de- Columbus. five months of 2018. has investigated so far this of being a hotbed for crime. crease in larcenies but an in- Aggravated assaults have In Starkville, statistics pro- year. But statistics suggest 2016 was crease in embezzlements. The also decreased in the city vided by the city’s police de- See CRIME, 6A FRIENDLY COMPETITION Missing motorist called 911 twice before disappearing O ktibbeha woman crashed off Highway 50 before going missing BY ALEX HOLLOWAY [email protected] A regional team of first responders continued a search Friday morning for an Oktibbeha County woman who is miss- ing in southwestern Clay County. Victoria Hudson, Hudson 23, disappeared ear- ly Thursday after her car wrecked near Mhoon Valley Road, off High- way 50, authorities say. Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said officials began looking for Hudson at about 5 a.m. Thurs- day, after Hudson had twice called 911 seeking assistance. Hudson’s phone lost power at 7:33 a.m. and while authorities found her car, Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff Hudson hasn’t been seen or heard Mariasia Stephens, 6, plays basketball with her brothers and sisters at McKee Park Tuesday. “I like playing kick ball with from since. them too. It’s my favorite thing,” she said. Mariasia is the daughter of Thomasina Justice and Mark Stephens of Starkville. First responders from Clay, Lowndes, Oktibbeha and Noxu- bee counties searched until dark Thursday, and resumed their ef- forts at about 6:30 a.m. Friday. “We’re going to work on the as- sumption she’s alive until we are Columbus man killed in LaGrange, Georgia given evidence to the contrary,” Scott told media gathered at the scene Friday morning. Deceased was allegedly involved in armed robbery attempt Medical Center where he was Meanwhile, Victoria’s mother, pronounced dead, according Glenda Hudson of Pheba, waits The AssoCiateD PRess bery attempt that ended with “He was involved and ac- to a LPD press release. with other family members at a Javontay Carr, 24, of Colum- cording to them, he got in The armed robbery at- nearby church — hoping and pray- LAGRANGE, Ga. — Five bus dead. between the others who were tempt included suspects act- ing for good news. people are in custody and a Carr was one of the peo- shooting and the car, and ing like they were working “It’s difficult to sit here and wait sixth is wanted for a homi- ple involved in the robbery they accidentally hit him,” on a vehicle, and the store and not be out there looking for cide in Georgia. attempt of three LaGrange Strickland said. owners were ambushed her,” Glenda said. “But we’re go- The LaGrange Police De- store owners, Lt. Dale Strick- Carr was shot three times when they drove by, authori- ing to let the professionals do their partment said it happened land told the LaGrange Daily in the torso and transported ties said. job and hope they come back with June 27 during an armed rob- News . to WellStar West Georgia See ARMED ROBBERY, 3A See MISSING, 3A WEATHER FIVE QUESTIONS C ALENDAR LOCAO L F LKS PUB LIC 1 What luxury high heels have signa- MEETINGS Today through Saturday July 10: Planning ture red soles? ■ Crawford Cotton Boll Festival: 2 What two U.S. states mark the end- and Zoning Com- Held in downtown Crawford, this festi- points of the Appalachian Trail? mission, 5:30 val celebrates those who helped make 3 What Tim Burton character has p.m. cotton a leading industry in the South. hands that can pick locks, carve ice July 10: Starkville and masterfully clip hedges and hair? It features live entertainment, speak- Oktibbeha Con- 4 What TV network launched the X ers, a step show, food and more. For Hailey Mayfield solidated School Games? information, call 662-272-5164. Second grade, Caledonia 5 Who claimed that his vampire District Board story came from having a nightmarish of Trustees, 6 High 92 Low 70 dream after eating too much crab? Thursday, July 12 p.m., Greensboro ■ Sounds of Summer: Stormy Chance of a p.m. t-storm Answers, 6B Center Full forecast on Monday entertains from 7-9 p.m. at July 12: Pecan page 2A. the Columbus Riverwalk in downtown Acres Public Columbus. Bring lawn chairs or blan- Hearing, 5 p.m., kets. No coolers or pets. Concessions Greensboro available for purchase. For more Center INSIDE information, contact Main Street Co- Sarah Oswalt is an art teacher July 13: Board of Classifieds6B Dear Abby 4B lumbus, 662-328-6305, or Columbus and nature lover. She also picks Aldermen Work Comics 4B Obituaries 2A Lowndes Chamber of Commerce, blueberries from her 90 blueber- Session, noon, Crossword 5B Opinions 4A 662-328-4491. ry bushes in Amory. City Hall DISPATCH CUSTOMER SERVICE 328-2424 | NEWSROOM 328-2471 2A FRIDAY, JULY 6, 2018 THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com SAY WHAT? DID YOU HEAR? “Great start. Scores were good though, so you’ve got to keep the pedal down.” PGA golfer Webb Simpson after the first round of A EPA chief Pruitt resigns Military Tribute at The Greenbrier in West Virginia on after months of scandals Friday Thursday. Story, 1B. ‘He came to me and said I have such AREA OBITUARIES great confidence in the administration Carlos Brown Mubiru and Gregory p.m. Friday at Carter’s Institution. He was for- MABEN — Carlos Harris, both of Detroit, Funeral Services of merly employed with I don’t want to be a distraction ...’ Terone Brown, 38, Michigan, Patrick Har- Columbus. Carter’s Baldor Electric and a President Donald Trump on Scott Pruitt died June 28, 2018, in ris, Beatrice Harris, Funeral Services is member of Zion Gate Eupora. Deangelo Harris and in charge of arrange- M.B. Church. The AssoCiateD PRess chief, saying there was “no Services will be Carlos Pruitt, all of Co- ments. In addition to his final straw” and he had not at 2 p.m. Saturday at lumbus; sibling, Allie Mrs. Malone was mother, he is survived WASHINGTON — En- asked for Pruitt’s resigna- Peter’s Rock COGIC in Peete of Detroit, Mich- born July 31, 1946, in by his siblings, Annie vironmental Protection tion. igan; 14 grandchildren; Crawford, to the late Hinton and Natasha Agency Administrator “Scott is a terrific guy,” Starkville. Burial will follow at Bell Chapel and 15 great-grandchil- Horrace Hubbard Sr. Williams, both of Scott Pruitt resigned Trump said. “He came to dren. and Irene Hubbard. Columbus and Mack Thursday amid ethics in- Cemetery. Visitation me and said I have such Pallbearers will be She was formerly em- Williams Jr. of Tulsa, vestigations of outsized se- will be from 1-6 p.m. great confidence in the Bernard Buckhalter, ployed with Johnston Arizona. curity spending, first-class administration I don’t want Friday at West Memo- Albert Buckhalter, Tombigbee Furniture Pallbearers will be flights and a sweetheart to be a distraction. ... He’ll rial Funeral Home. Stevie Buckhalter, Jason Brown, Cantrell condo lease. go and do great things and West Memorial Funer- Company and a mem- With Pruitt’s depar- have a wonderful life, I al Home is in charge of Dennis Buckhalter, ber of Oakland M.B. Hawthorne, Sharad ture, President Donald hope.” arrangements. Nokomis Elem and Church. Stafford, Willie Saffore Trump loses an adminis- In his resignation letter He is survived Bobby Hines. In addition to her Jr., Javonne Wells, trator many conservatives to Trump, obtained by The by his wife, Rhonda parents, she was pre- Levaris Williams, John regarded as one of the Associated Press, Pruitt Brown; parents, Hazel Javontay Carr ceded in death by her Wrench and Albert more effective members expressed no regrets.