NATCHEZ — To lower crime rates, Natchez Police Sgt. Craig Godbold said it means never taking off that police hat.

“If you have a rapport with the community, they’ll talk to you,” he said. “We’re police officers 24/7.”

He said being an active part of the community is key. Having a constant presence and force in the area bolsters community policing.

And police officials said community policing is what’s caused the gradual overall drop in crime over the past eight years.

Reports of aggravated assault have dropped from 31 to 28, vehicle theft from 26 to 23, robbery from 22 to 19 and larceny — which combines petit and grand — have dropped from 1,192 to 549.

On the flip side, rape has increased from three incidents to four, burglary from 211 to 246, and homicide from one to two.

And the numbers have been continually falling.

In 2000, the total number of crimes committed within city limits was 1,486. In 2008, it was 873.

A sharp drop took place between 2000 and 2001 and also between 2004 and 2005. The crime rate number has been falling continually since 2005.

And city officials can see that crime is being reduced.

Alderman James “Ricky” Gray requested Natchez Chief of Police Mike Mullins compile crime rates over the past eight years, and he said he was pleased to see crime is down.

The birth of community policing comes from the idea that crime is a product of a larger problem.

Mullins said tackling crime solely from a law enforcement perspective is only putting a Band-Aid on a bullet hole.

“Breaking a window and stealing a purse out of a car is just a symptom of a bigger problem,” he said.

What works, he said, is to go to the root of the problem.

“We work with other departments such as planning and zoning, inspection and public works,” Mullins said.

Abandoned vehicles, dilapidated homes, graffiti and other quality of life issues become the issues that spur on crime, as well as family life.

“When we go into a household and see a problem that may affect a child, we notify the Department of Human Services,” he said. “We get the Department of Human Services involved with that family to try to fix those problems.”

The police department also works to lower crime by encouraging neighborhood watch programs.

Mullins said if a neighborhood is interested in forming a watch program, the department will help facilitate it.

When a neighborhood watch program is formed, police officers will attend the first two meetings.

“We guide them and explain to them what it’s about,” Mullins said.

He said the officers will instruct the residents on how to have a vigilant watch group, and will help them appoint a block captain and schedule meetings.

Ward 4 Alderman Ernest “Tony” Fields is working to revitalize the neighborhood watch programs.

He invited his constituents to a meeting several months ago to hear their concerns.

“My constituents are definitely concerned about crime,” he said. “There are efforts now in different sections in the ward to get neighborhood watch groups going again.”

Ward 2 Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis said she feels the revitalization and strengthening of watch groups has played a part in lowering crime.

“What we need to be on is a path of continual improvement,” she said.

And Mullins said the department works diligently to continually improve its officers.

Every month the department has in-service training to sharpen officers’ skills in community policing and patrol tactics.

“We have constant officer improvement,” he said.