PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Providence’s police chief says violent crime and property crime dipped in the city last year.

Police Col. Hugh Clements Jr. credited Tuesday a data-driven and community-minded approach to policing for the drop in crime. He tells the Providence Journal that the city is a safer place, but police still have continuing challenges to monitor.

The Providence Police Department says there was a 6 percent decrease in violent crimes like robbery and murder from 2017 to 2018. The department also says there was a 1 percent drop in crimes like burglary and larceny during the same time frame.

Overall department statistics don’t yet include other crimes like misdemeanor simple assault or drug offenses.

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Information from: The Providence Journal, http://www.providencejournal.com