Domestic violence cases and juvenile arrests were on the rise within Yazoo City last year, but property crimes declined.
Chief Ron Sampson said the Yazoo City Police Department handled a total of 881 arrests in 2018 with 80 percent of crimes involving repeat offenders.
Sampson presented a detailed breakdown of those figures during the recent Board of Mayor and Aldermen board meeting. Property crimes decreased from 231 to 189 cases. However, crimes against a person increased from 235 to 286 cases.
“The majority of things we experienced last year was that we had a lot of problems with our juveniles,” Sampson said. “Also, people either weren’t cooperating or victims failed to follow up.”
Automobile burglaries decreased within the city by 54 percent. In 2017, 72 burglaries were reported versus last year with 33 incidents.
Automobile thefts increased by one case with a total of 12 reported in 2018. Of those 12 cases, six suspects were arrested.
Business burglaries decreased from 22 to 19; larceny remained stagnant with nine cases; and house burglaries increased by one case with a total of 116 cases last year.
Domestic violence cases dramatically increased 64 percent from 80 to 131 cases.
“Our issues with our domestic violence cases is that victims are reluctant to follow through with what they need to,” Sampson said. “We are constantly having the same reoccurring problem. Of those cases, 96 made it court.”
In aggravated assault cases, there were 41 cases last year. Of those cases, 36 arrests were made by officers.
A total of 97 assaults involving a weapon were reported in 2018. Ten armed robberies occurred with eight arrests being made, four of which were juveniles.
There was a total of four murders last year with two arrests being made. Two murder investigations remain active, Sampson said.
Rape cases increased from four to seven last year, as well.
Sampson said a total of 26 cases were dismissed last year due to lack of cooperation.
