Salisbury Continues Battle with Violent Crime

SALISBURY, NC — Salisbury police have a suspect in custody in the city’s most recent homicide.

The city has seen two murders in the last four days. Tonight, Salisbury is partnering with the Department of Justice to fight increases in violent crime and opioid overdoses.

“Prevent crime,” says Salisbury Police Chief Jerry Stokes “And reduce the fear of crime.”

That’s the goal of a joint effort with Salisbury Police and the DOJ. The department has struggled to deal with violent crime in recent years, especially making arrests and closing cases.

The solve rate has improved in 2017.

Officers arrested 20-year-old Terry Watson on Tuesday. They say he shot and killed Isaiah Gillespie late Monday night at the Laurel Pointe Apartments.

“We have seen a definite increase in people’s willingness to cooperate with us,” says Chief Stokes. “And I think that’s reflective of, again, our community engagement aspects of our community policing effort.”

Crime and public safety are prime issues for the 13 candidates running for Salisbury City Council.

“I think we have to make sure that police have the resources,” says Councilman David Post.

Post believes it’s about more than just an increase in crime.

“This is a poverty issue,” he says. “I mean the Salisbury poverty rate has gone from 12% to 28% in the last 15 years. And that’s hurt our schools. It’s caused crime.”

“We’re focused on other things to help with the issue, like education,” says Salisbury Mayor Karen Alexander. “We have a partnership with our school system. We also increased our budget to the police department for a million dollars.”

But the mayor says the money, manpower, and resources may not be enough.

“Obviously, neither the police department, nor the mayor, nor a council can control individual behavior,” says Alexander. “We’re sorry that people misbehave.”

The two most recent homicides bring Salisbury to ten this year. Police are still trying to identify a suspect in a deadly Friday night shooting at the Taco Bell on Innes Street.