Jonesboro police chief reports recent crime declines, cites community tips and $3.5M federal grant for technology upgrades

Chief Elliott (S2) presented the Jonesboro Police Department's 2025 annual crime statistics and told the Public Safety Council Committee that crimes against persons have declined from recent peaks. He said long-term historical totals have varied in the range of "80 to 120 cases a year" and that 2020 was a recent peak year; he emphasized the department's monthly reporting to the FBI and the public availability of crime data.

When asked what explains the decline, Chief Elliott cited multiple factors rather than a single cause: community members providing tips, closer community engagement, and technology such as the real-time crime center, camera systems and license-plate readers. He said the tools increase solvability and that the department adapts lessons learned from national trends at the staff level.

Chief Elliott also described a recent rescue that used the department's camera systems and AI features to locate a missing teenager who had left home in cold weather; the cameras tracked her movements across the city and officers were able to return her to her parents. He told the committee, "As you are aware of that, the city received a $3,500,000 grant here recently from the federal government. We can do more upgrades, with our technology."

Chair (S1) and committee members asked follow-up questions about trends and community relations; no public comments were recorded. The committee did not vote on policy related to the report; Chief Elliott's presentation was informational and the department noted that further technology projects will proceed through appropriate procurement and budgeting processes.