DANVILLE, Va. – Operation Safe Streets Southside, a joint local and state law enforcement public safety initiative, led to 97 arrests on felony charges, 76 arrests on misdemeanor charges, and 35 arrests of fugitives over a 10-week period, Danville Police Chief Scott Booth reported Tuesday.

Year-to-date statistics show significant declines in violent crime and burglaries as compared to the same period a year ago. The numbers reported Tuesday are as follows:

• Robberies down 75 percent.
• Aggravated assaults involving use of firearms down 65 percent.
• Aggravated assaults (all weapons) down 53 percent.
• Burglaries down 26 percent.

There have been six homicides this year. That number is unchanged from the same period a year ago.

“The only one that I am not happy with – even though we work at it tirelessly and will continue – is the number of homicides in our community,” Booth said. “As I have said before, even one is too much.”

The police chief credited a community-wide effort in combatting crime in Danville.

From May 2 through July 25, the Danville Police Department, Virginia State Police and Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office also seized 21 illegal firearms, 698 grams of illegal drugs with a combined street value of $49,276, and $15,125 in U.S. currency. Illegal drugs seized included cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, and synthetic marijuana.