A recent rise in violent crimes has raised the proverbial eyebrows of the community, but Kinston Police Chief Tim Dilday and his team are engaged in the solutions. Despite the decrease in gun violence in recent years, the frequent updates about shootings that have occurred in recent weeks can give the impression that the city is violent. To keep the community informed, KPD is active on social media with frequent updates and releasing of necessary community information, including updates on crimes like larceny and gun violence.

Chief Dilday, Major Keith Goyette, and Major Jenee Spencer discussed the perception of violence, and the impact the community can have on its own safety.

“The fear of crime, to us, is just as important as the crime itself,” said Dilday.

Gun violence seen in our area has been targeted violence and the KPD has a high arrest record for apprehending the individuals involved in the shootings.

“It’s not that people are shooting up Kinston. It’s individuals targeting individuals,” said Spence. “It’s not, I’m going shopping and I need to be worried. It’s one person on another.”

The community can help with the violence by speaking up when they see something that disturbs them. If an incident is occurring that could potentially cause harm, the KPD requests that the information be called in. There are many ways to keep the information anonymous including the anonymous tip line.

Chief Dilday understands that the community is also a victim even when the shootings are targeted.

“When you say ‘a victim’, it’s not the perpetrator and who got shot. It’s the neighborhood, it’s the entire community, it’s you and I,” said Chief Dilday.

The members of the KPD live and work in the same communities they serve. Whether they are at the schools interacting with the children or visible at many of the local parks, they want the community to know that they’re all in it together.

“We’re out here working all day and all night trying to stop that crime and to solve that crime and make that arrest. It affects us just as much everyone else,” said Goyette. “We don’t want any blemishes on Kinston.“

The KPD needs the help of the community to provide the information necessary to stem the violence.

“We love Kinston,” said Goyette.

To contact the Kinston Police Department call 252-939-3160, the Kinston Police Department’s Tips Line at 252-939-4020 or Lenoir County Crime Stoppers at 252-523-4444.