GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. —

Crime statistics for robberies, auto thefts, violent crime , and homicides are all trending in a positive direction, said Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom.

He said the department made gains last year, and they’re doing better this year.

“So headed in the right direction, crime wise as a city, and we want to keep pushing to make it safer for everyone,” he said.

He credits maximum staffing levels and filling budgeted vacancies as part of the reason for the downward trends.

“Since I got here [...] we were dozens of officers short. We were hearing complaints from the community about delays in response time to 911 calls, it was taking 15 minutes,” he said. “But unless it was, you know, a person actively shooting a gun, oftentimes you would call 911, it would

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