HOPEWELL — Hopewell police are reporting a 30% drop in property crime this year, with 266 incidents compared to 381 at the same point in 2024.

Still, the department is also seeing a 4% increase in violent crime.

Police Chief Gregory Taylor said the reduction in property crime stems from strategic community engagement, technology improvements and partnerships with neighborhood watch groups.

“Fortunately, this year we’ve seen a decrease in property crime based on our strategy. Community engagement, technology and working with our neighborhood watch groups, getting information, and our crime analysis, making sure officers are in the areas that they need to be,” Taylor said.

The department increased patrols in crime hotspots and expanded surveillance camera coverage, which helped deter and

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