TEXARKANA - Crime statistics can vary due to numerous factors, including the time of year, the economy, or simply someone having the opportunity.
However, so far crimes in Texarkana and Bowie and Miller counties have not been greatly affected by COVID-19.
Crimes that occurred in March and April of this year are similar in number to crimes reported in March and April of 2019.
Texarkana, Ark., Police worked two homicides during March and April of 2019 but did not have any homicides during March and April of this year, according to statistics compiled by the department.
Assault and battery cases saw a slight decrease from 40 to 38.
Aggravated robberies stayed the same with three reported in March and April of 2019 and also three reported during March and April of this year, according to TAPD.
TAPD has seen a slight increase in domestic violence cases. These cases rose from 128 cases reported in March and April of 2019 to 137 cases this year.
Property crimes, which included all felony and misdemeanor thefts, decreased from 233 in March and April of 2019 to 222 this year.
The TAPD statistics are for crimes reported, not arrests made. So some cases may have been cleared while some are still open, according to TAPD.
The Texarkana, Texas Police Department saw a decrease in theft. The numbers dropped from 104 in March 2019 to 69 this March. Thefts also decreased from 116 cases in April 2019 to 57 this April.
"Thefts were down pretty significantly," said Shawn Vaughn, spokesman for TTPD. Assaults also decreased from 76 in April 2019 to 39 this April. Assaults in March decreased from 68 in 2019 to 59 this year.
Burglaries increased from 14 to 19 in March and 14 to 27 in April. Robberies increased from one to six in March and four to six in April.
TTPD worked two homicides in March of 2020 and one in March of 2019.
The Bowie County Sheriff's Office has mainly seen a decrease in crimes
In April of this year, deputies responded to 12 assaults, eight burglaries, and 14 thefts, according to information from BCSO. This was in contrast to 30 reports of assaults in April 2019 along with 15 burglaries, and 21 thefts in April 2019.
In March of 2019, the department responded to two rapes, 28 assaults, eight burglaries, and 16 thefts compared to 0 rapes, 16 assaults, seven burglaries, and 14 thefts in March of this year.
Chief Deputy Jeff Neal said the department does not want to take credit for the decrease because crime rates easily rise and fall.
"We just do the best we can," he said.
The Miller County Sheriff's Office received reports of 46 total cases in March 2019 and 42 cases in March of this year.
In April of 2019, the department worked 47 cases compared to 51 this year.
Domestic cases stayed about the same with 10 in March of 2019 and nine in March of this year. There were eight cases in April of 2019 and nine in April of this year.
"Domestics are statistically unchanged. The Covid-19 issue has basically had no effect on the Crime Rate in Miller County," said Chief Deputy Mark Lewis.
All local law enforcement agencies are also trying to keep their officers safe while they work. Departments are practicing distancing and limiting contact with individuals.
Emergency calls or in-progress calls are being handled in the same manner as always.
Non-emergency calls are being handled over the phone if possible.
Officers will try to maintain a distance of six feet with people they are interacting with and will make every attempt to not go inside homes if possible.
Neal said the Sheriff's Department is making sure the deputies have masks and other protective equipment if needed.
"The deputies still have to go out and answer calls. There are things that cannot be avoided," Neal said.
TTPD Patrol Officers have been working out of the department's training building near Spring Lake Park to help create distance from others, Vaughn said.
"We have been trying to limit contact but hope to get them back over at Bi-State in the next couple of weeks," Vaughn said.