KILLEEN, TX — When the Killeen Police Department took a preliminary report for the 2018 crime rate earlier this year, they were excited see a 25 percent decrease in crime. Police said they're already on track for 2019 to follow suit.
Amber Collins describes her neighborhood as a little more safe knowing the crime rate in Killeen is dropping.
"I would guess so. I don't see any police around anymore as far as the neighborhood goes," Collins said.
Collins is thankful for the police department and their efforts in making Killeen a safe place to live, but police won't take all the credit.
"I think that's where we turned the tide, we're not going to rest our way out of this but the community and coming together really has made a difference," Commander Jeff Donohue said.
The City of Killeen received a record breaking high in crime rate for 2017. In that same year, Killeen was in the top 10 for the highest crime rate for a city their size in Texas.
Knowing things had to change, the police department was determined to turn things around.
"You go for a record year and we're on track for another record year, although it is only April so it's a little early to see, but we're very optimistic and excited to continue that path," Donohue said.
