DAILY CLIPS COVER - East Carolina University

Greenville Police Chief William Anderson, right, and East Carolina University Police Chief Scott Shelton
speak to the media during a press conference in Greenville Police Headquarters Tuesday, April 26, 2011.
The police released what information they could about the ECU student who was kidnapped Monday
afternoon in an ECU parking lot in downtown Greenville. (Justin Falls/The Daily Reflector)
Editorial: Review police resources, strategy
Monday, May 9, 2011
Three suspects arrested in connection with a string of armed robberies in Greenville
should provide at least some small measure of comfort to residents fearful of rising crime
in the city. Despite the good work, however, there is ample reason for public officials to
take a long look at the strategies in place to deter criminals from operating in this
community.
As a regional hub of commerce and relative wealth, Greenville will consistently be a
target for criminal activity, more so at a time of economic desperation such as this. But
with limited resources available to the police department, the margin for error has grown
ever smaller and it is absolutely critical that every dollar is spent in a way to maximize
effectiveness.
In April, a string of at least 15 armed robberies gave reason for alarm among small
businesses, especially convenience stores and cell phone retail outlets. There were
similarities to the crimes, including a description of the suspects and the weapons
involved, prompting attention by the Greenville Police Department's Crime Analysis
Unit. Information gathered by that unit, along with surveillance and patrols near
suspected targets, led to a narrowing of focus to individuals who were stopped by Pitt
County Sheriff Neil Elks and his wife, Greenville Det. Connie Elks, in a traffic stop.
While local law enforcement is confident of having solved those cases, the crimes are
indicative of a larger problem in the city. The most recent statistics indicate that criminal
activity has dropped sharply, but several high profile events — the kidnapping of an East
Carolina University student, among them — have given rise to fears about the safety of
this community.