As the summer months wind down, a news release from Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. on Monday touted positive news about crime rates in the capital city.

“The most recent statistics show overall crime is down 22 percent compared to the past five years, and violent crime has decreased 15 percent over the same period. Year-to-year, overall crime is down 18 percent, and violent crime has decreased 8 percent,” the release said.

Scott credited prevention programs that focus on children and youth, community-oriented policing and targeted patrols in high-crime areas for these positive statistics.

Some of those programs include youth summer camps and swimming lessons, mentorship programs for girls and boys, financial empowerment, summer youth employment programs, midnight basketball, muse

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