Homicide numbers in Pulaski County, capital city dropping

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- Pulaski County is becoming safer as crime rates continue to drop, according to the prosecuting attorney’s office.

Will Jones said Little Rock alone has experienced a 51% reduction in homicides. He gives credit to law enforcement, prosecutors, and community members who all work together.

In 2022, there were 119 homicides in Pulaski County, one of the deadliest years on record for the county according to Jones.

“That was certainly scary coming into this office, and we knew we needed to make some changes and try some different things,” Jones said.

He said they’ve grown relationships with law enforcement, and community groups that were also working to end senseless crime.

“We get everybody who has a common interest and if we’re all working together then that just makes us safer,” Jones said.

Pulaski County homicides are now down by 44%, while Little Rock has seen a 51% decrease. Jones said those numbers not only represent progress, but also the changes he’s made since taking office

“One of the things we do in this office is we test every decision we make versus one question, does this make our community safer?” Jones stated.

To ensure further progress, Jones said they’ve created an organized criminal intelligence unit that specifically addresses violent crime offenders with hopes that Pulaski County will be a place where everyone feels safe.

Jones said an update for the homicide numbers will be released by the end of this month.

Since the new prosecuting attorney came into office, they have also created an account on X, formerly known as Twitter, to share more of the office’s work with the public.

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