OPELOUSAS, La. (KADN) — Newly-released data from the FBI shows violent crime is on the decline across America. And that same report shows a promising decrease for Opelousas. Police Chief Graig LeBlanc explained what's working and how the department plans to keep the trend going.

Violent crime has been on a downward trend this year in Opelousas. Police say it's because of transparency with the people and actively being in the community.

Since the start of 2024, the Opelousas Police Department has investigated 44 shootings, a significant decrease from previous years. In 2022, there were 105 shootings. Chief LeBlanc believes the decrease comes from the public seeing and interacting with officers.

"It's about visibility, being out there for the community, being seen,” he said. “Being about the community and just taking care of what the citizens need us to take care of."

There's also been a decrease in burglaries. In 2022, there were 173 reported from January to September. In 2023, there were 97. The same period this year shows 81 such property crimes.

"The major factor in the decrease of crime is that we are listening and we are supporting the community and the community is supporting the police department. I think that's the number one things right now. We are working together as a team," noted Chief LeBlanc.

Although crime has been on a downward trend, the chief added the department still needs to work on improving its 43% clearance rate on crimes in the city.