Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kinston police report mixed crime trends; department launches CONNECT town-hall series
Summary
Chief Keith Goyette reported that property crime made up 82% of offenses in Q1 and overall crime rose 8% while violent crime fell 13%; the department announced a four-part CONNECT town-hall series starting May 12 to discuss crime, prevention and community partnerships.
Police Chief Keith Goyette presented the Kinston Police Department's first-quarter 2026 crime statistics and announced a new public-engagement series called CONNECT.
Goyette said 82% of reported crime in Q1 was property crime and 18% violent crime, with total offenses reaching 840 for the quarter. He reported an overall 8% increase in crime compared with the prior period, while violent crime decreased 13%; murders remained the same, rapes decreased 40%, robberies decreased 47%, and aggravated assaults were unchanged. He noted the department maintains 100% NIBRS compliance, which is important for grant applications and transparency.
Chief Goyette also described department resources and partnerships: 86% of officers have Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training and the department works with Trillium for mental-health assistance; he noted an advocate coordinates resources for domestic-violence victims. To broaden public engagement on safety and prevention, the department will hold four town halls beginning May 12 at 6 p.m. at the Kinston News Regional Library to address topics including neighborhood safety design, youth-violence prevention, financial-crimes awareness for seniors, and strengthening partnerships.
Councilmembers asked about bicycle safety and enforcement details; the chief confirmed nighttime bicycle equipment requirements and encouraged programmatic bicycle-safety elements in the SS4A study. The CONNECT series will include 30 minutes for questions and dialogue with citizens.
