Crime Rate Steady Despite Population Increase

The town's population grew to more than 16,000 last year, but the crime rate held virtually steady---an increase of just one percent, according the the Clayton Police Department 2010 Annual Report.

Violent crime declined sharply, by a total of 33 percent, which helped push the overall crime rate nearly eight percent below the town's 10-year average. In addition, there were no homicides.

"We're very proud of the job our officers have done over the last year," said Chief Glen Allen. "We take great pride in Clayton's reputation as an extremely safe community."

Though four more offices earned "Advanced Law Enforcement" certification and two earned the "Lifesaving Award" during the year, residents heard more about the highly successful "Night Out Against Crime" event last August that earned national recognition and the ongoing arson investigations in East Clayton.

Highlights for the year include:

• 2.1 million hits to the Clayton PD website: www.claytonpolice.org
• Facebook and Twitter accounts with more than 1,000 followers
• Closing of the 2008 vandalism case involving the Clayton Community Center
• The success of CrimeStoppers, which helped with several investigations
• Some huge drug seizures and arrests
• A crackdown on drunk driving that keeps our streets safer

Some important statistics include:

• 24,491 calls for service, a 12 percent increase
• 664 traffic accidents investigated, a 20 percent increase
• 4,153 citations issued

Police are currently working out of a temporary headquarters at 9933 US 70W Business as construction continues on the town's new "Law Enforcement Center" downtown. The new Center is expected to open later this year.

The Department is just two years removed from being one of the few law enforcement agencies in the United States to earn full accreditation.