Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow said he knew the city’s crime numbers would be down, but the statistics in the data dashboard confirm it, and Barrow said it’s “fantastic news” for the city.

Overall crime was down 18.98 percent from 2024 to 2025, including a 39.62 percent decrease in violent crime and 42.70 percent drop in aggravated assaults, according to the City of Henderson Crime Dashboard.

The police department keeps track of crime statistics and has been submitting reports to the federal and state governments since 1985, Barrow said on Wednesday’s TownTalk. The information that is collected and reported makes the department eligible to apply for a variety of law enforcement grants.

“If we don’t report, we’re not eligible for grant funding,” he said. “We report, we report correctly and those are the numbers.”

And it seems those numbers are trending down, which is good news for the police department, the city and its residents. But it’s more than just a one-year drop, he said. Since 2020, there’s been a 47 percent decrease in violent crime, a 47.34 percent drop in aggravated assaults and a 46.47 percent drop in burglaries in the city.

Barrow attributes the decrease to a combination of factors, starting with the work of his officers. “We put out a warning at the beginning of the year, that we wre all getting ready to see some important things – progress being made,” he said.

But he gives a nod also to the office of District Attorney Mike Waters and to federal prosecutors, too.

“We’re seeing a lot more movement with our cases,” Barrow said. People who need to be incarcerated are being convicted and put behind bars. He cited a recent case where an individual got 18 years for possession, sale and delivery of fentanyl.

Barrow said while he’s encouraged by the progress, there remains work to be done.

Crime statistics “represent people, families, victims, neighborhoods, and lives affected by crime,” he said. Continued progress depends on strong partnerships, community support and adequate resources to address public safety.

“A safer Henderson means more than lower crime numbers. It means stronger neighborhoods, greater opportunities for economic investment, stronger businesses, and a community where families can live and grow with confidence.

We are encouraged by the direction we are moving, but we are not satisfied with simply improving the numbers,” Barrow said.

Barrow said he wants Henderson to reap the benefits of decreased crime and hopes that word will get out and have a positive effect on economic development, the housing market, retail and small business and “diminish some of the negativity” in social media posts.

Henderson Mayor Melissa Elliott’s social media post is filled with positivity and kudos to Barrow and the police department.

“Today, we celebrate positive progress and recognize the dedication of the men and women of the Henderson Police Department,” the mayor’s post began.
The recent crime trend dashboard reflects significant reductions in crime throughout our city, including an overall crime decrease of nearly 19%, a reduction in violent crime, aggravated assaults, and other offenses.

These numbers represent more than statistics — they represent safer neighborhoods, families protected, and the continued commitment of those who serve our community every day.”

Elliott continued by thanking Barrow and the department’s officers for their

professionalism, sacrifice and tireless work to keep residents safe. “Your commitment to proactive policing, community partnerships, and protecting the citizens of Henderson does not go unnoticed,” Elliott stated.

“Public safety is a shared responsibility, and these results show what can happen when dedicated law enforcement officers, community leaders, and residents work together toward a common goal.

“Thank you, HPD, for your service, your courage, and your continued commitment to making Henderson a safer place to live, work, and raise our families.

“Together, we will continue building a stronger and safer Henderson.”

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