North Platte Police Department handles increase of crime

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) -The North Platte Police Department has responded to a high number of criminal incidents over the past few weeks.

“I think it’s an unfortunate part of the world we live in today that crime is going to happen and we are going to do our best to stop it,” said North Platte Police Department Public Information Officer Matt Elder.

This increase in criminal activities is not connected to a specific reason. Last year, the North Platte crime statistics reported zero homicides in the area. So far, this year, that number has increased to three homicides.

“A lot of the violent incidents we have had recently have been isolated incidents the victims and suspects have known each other,” said Officer Elder. “They are not random acts of violence.”

In the first week of November, the North Platte Police Department responded to two separate incidents in the community. One was a fatal stabbing in a residential area, and the other was a fatal shooting in the parking lot of Platte River Mall. The North Platte Police Department reports that suspects in both cases have been arrested.

As crime increases in the community, there are ways the community can still feel safe.

“Trust your citizens. Trust your neighbors. Trust the police department,” said Officer Elder.