Mayor James J. Fiorentini > Press Release

October 1, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Fiorentini Says Crime Report Wrong

Mayor James J. Fiorentini today said that the front page story about crime in Haverhill had incorrect numbers. Fiorentini said that the police would issue correct numbers later this week.

“The police department is double checking the numbers and will have a report on Wednesday. It appears that the report which the story was based on had incorrect numbers. We are confident that when we have the updated numbers on Wednesday, we will show that the story about Haverhill crime in Haverhill was wrong.”

Fiorentini, whose FY 08 budget includes money for two additional patrolmen and the allocation of block grant money for more patrols in high crime areas, said he stood by his earlier statements that violent crime is down 21% over the past four years.

“The police department has done a good job on violent crimes, which are down 21% in the past four years. I am confident that today’s story, which dealt with nonviolent crimes in error. We will have corrected numbers Wednesday.”

Over the past four years, we have increase police spending by 24%, added a new crime analyst, a new Deputy Police Chief and a total of three new patrol officers, including two in this year’s budget. In addition, we have dedicated some of our Federal block grant money to more patrols in high crime areas.

In the past month, the chief has reallocated resources to add a new night detective, filling a key gap in police protection.

Keeping people safe is a top priority. When the corrected numbers come out on Wednesday, I am very confident that people will see that Haverhill remains a safe city.”