CLARKSVILLE Tenn, (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Mayor Joe Pitts is calling on citizens to help police prevent and solve homicides, as well as other violent crimes, in Clarksville.
“We have already seen 10 homicides so far in 2019,” said Mayor Pitts. “While the Clarksville Police Department has been effective in solving many of these crimes, we need the public’s help to ensure criminals are caught quickly and brought to justice.”
Mayor Pitts met with CPD leaders Friday to analyze crime data and discuss ways to engage the public in the City’s crime-fighting efforts. In addition to 10 homicides through seven months of 2019, the CPD has already counted 300 cases of aggravated assault. In all of 2018, in comparison, the City had 15 homicides and 579 aggravated assaults.
In response, the Mayor is urging anyone with information about the recent shootings or other crimes to talk to police. He also asks residents to lock their vehicles and not leave firearms stored in vehicles.
“In several recent cases, weapons are being stolen out of vehicles, and then being used in crimes,” Mayor Pitts said. “So please, help us prevent crimes. Lock your vehicles, and don’t carry a loaded weapon in your car and then leave it there.”
Mayor Pitts will sit down with ClarksvilleNow.com Wednesday and answer questions regarding the crime rates in the community. Have a question for Mayor Pitts regarding crime? Please leave your question below and he may answer them Wednesday afternoon during the interview. Be patient as it may take a moment to load.
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Earlier this month, Clarksville Police asked for the public’s assistance to help battle a wave of motor vehicle burglaries and thefts. From June 1 to July 3, more than 150 vehicle burglaries and 80 motor vehicle thefts occurred in Clarksville. Police also reported 30 firearms taken during vehicle burglaries from June 1-July 26, with 206 having been reported stolen overall.
“I am concerned about these higher numbers of homicides and violent crimes and these high rates of vehicle-related thefts,” Mayor Pitts said Friday. “But I’m also impressed by the concentrated actions of our Police Department, and I’m confident that with the public’s help, we can quickly make a positive impact and cut down on the number of crimes in our community.”