Benton County Fights Crime with Technology
By: Jay Dillon
Updated: November 30, 2012
Criminals in Benton County no longer have to worry just about the cops, they've also got technology working against them too. Find out how the Sheriff's Office is making your neighborhood safer as we take a look at the seven stories you need to know about before you head out the door.
The Benton County Sheriff's Office launched a new crime map Tuesday and it was developed completely in house. It's one of the only programs in the state that operates at a county level and allows interactive public access. The map shows all reported crimes from 2011 and 2012, everything from a purse snatching to car wrecks. It even breaks down what kind of crimes are happening at what times.
Springdale Police offering some tips to keep your gifts safe this holiday season after a rash of car break-ins. There have been 24 break-ins over the last few weeks and police say many were crimes of opportunity. According to investigators, people can greatly reduce their risk of becoming a victim by always locking car doors, making sure valuable items are out of plain sight, and parking in well-lit areas when possible.
Also in Springdale a man is released from the hospital after being roughed up and robbed before meeting with a woman he met on Craigslist. Springdale police responded to the Heritage Inn on West Sunset around 3:30 Wednesday morning. The man tells police he was going to meet a woman he met on Craigslist at the Firefox Apartments. Investigators say, instead, he was greeted by three men in bandanas who pulled him out of his car and pistol whipped him in the face. He claims they took his cell phone, wallet, car keys and even removed his shoes and socks to look for money. The man was able to get away and ran a few blocks down to the heritage inn where police were called. Witnesses say his wife then picked him up and he was taken to washington regional medical center for treatment.
More jobs are coming soon to the River Valley. Firearms manufacturer Walthier Arms announced Wednesday it's U.S. operations will be set at Chaffee Crossing in Fort Smith. The company will share a campus and business resources with Umarex USA which will expand operations to include components of both airguns and firearms. The companies plan to spend $7 million expanding the facility and operations over the next five years and will create 70 to 120 new jobs.
Now that voters approved liquor sales in Benton County and Sunday sales in Springdale, businesses in Missouri are bracing for impact. Folks in Northwest Arkansas have been crossing the state line for alcohol since the 1930's. But now that closer options are available, those trips will likely decrease. County leaders in Missouri hope their lower sales tax could still keep customers heading north for booze.
For the third straight year, the two best high school football teams are right here in Northwest Arkansas. Bentonville will play Fayetteville for the 7A Championship Saturday evening at 6:30 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The teams have split the last two championships with Bentonville winning in 2010 and Fayetteville getting the upset last year.
Some may be dreaming of a White Christmas, but hardwood Hog fans, dreaming of a white-out. The UofA is urging folks to wear white to Friday night's game against Syracuse. To ensure that happens, the University will be handing out free t-shirts to the first 10,000 fans through the door. Tip off for the game is 7:30 and tickets are still available.
The Benton County Sheriff's Office launched a new crime map Tuesday and it was developed completely in house. It's one of the only programs in the state that operates at a county level and allows interactive public access. The map shows all reported crimes from 2011 and 2012, everything from a purse snatching to car wrecks. It even breaks down what kind of crimes are happening at what times.
Springdale Police offering some tips to keep your gifts safe this holiday season after a rash of car break-ins. There have been 24 break-ins over the last few weeks and police say many were crimes of opportunity. According to investigators, people can greatly reduce their risk of becoming a victim by always locking car doors, making sure valuable items are out of plain sight, and parking in well-lit areas when possible.
Also in Springdale a man is released from the hospital after being roughed up and robbed before meeting with a woman he met on Craigslist. Springdale police responded to the Heritage Inn on West Sunset around 3:30 Wednesday morning. The man tells police he was going to meet a woman he met on Craigslist at the Firefox Apartments. Investigators say, instead, he was greeted by three men in bandanas who pulled him out of his car and pistol whipped him in the face. He claims they took his cell phone, wallet, car keys and even removed his shoes and socks to look for money. The man was able to get away and ran a few blocks down to the heritage inn where police were called. Witnesses say his wife then picked him up and he was taken to washington regional medical center for treatment.
More jobs are coming soon to the River Valley. Firearms manufacturer Walthier Arms announced Wednesday it's U.S. operations will be set at Chaffee Crossing in Fort Smith. The company will share a campus and business resources with Umarex USA which will expand operations to include components of both airguns and firearms. The companies plan to spend $7 million expanding the facility and operations over the next five years and will create 70 to 120 new jobs.
Now that voters approved liquor sales in Benton County and Sunday sales in Springdale, businesses in Missouri are bracing for impact. Folks in Northwest Arkansas have been crossing the state line for alcohol since the 1930's. But now that closer options are available, those trips will likely decrease. County leaders in Missouri hope their lower sales tax could still keep customers heading north for booze.
For the third straight year, the two best high school football teams are right here in Northwest Arkansas. Bentonville will play Fayetteville for the 7A Championship Saturday evening at 6:30 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The teams have split the last two championships with Bentonville winning in 2010 and Fayetteville getting the upset last year.
Some may be dreaming of a White Christmas, but hardwood Hog fans, dreaming of a white-out. The UofA is urging folks to wear white to Friday night's game against Syracuse. To ensure that happens, the University will be handing out free t-shirts to the first 10,000 fans through the door. Tip off for the game is 7:30 and tickets are still available.
