DANVILLE (WSLS 10) - New statistics from the FBI rank Danville as the city with the second highest crime rate in the commonwealth. The FBI determines the crime rate by population.
The police chief said burglaries, larcenies, and simple assaults are the most common crimes committed. In fact, there were 391 burglaries last year.
The department said this is issue needs more attention as gang activity is becoming more prevalent.
"As far as what kind of crimes: only about 4.5 percent of our total crimes are felony violent crimes," said Chief Phillip Broadfoot, of the Danville Police Department. "So, the fast majority of our crimes are property crimes. And, that's where we have the most work to do."
Chief Broadfoot said the department can reduce crime by adding patrols in high crime areas and by using computer programming to track gang activity. The chief added education and help from the public are key in lowering the city's crime rate.