Newburgh Police say the city saw crime levels drop by double digits in 2017, but it's not without exceptions.

"We developed a lot of programs, and now we are starting to see the fruits from our labor," said Lieutenant-in-Charge Aaron Weaver.

Police say violent crime fell 14 percent, noting big drops in robberies, aggravated assaults, and property crime. Shootings fell to 17 in 2017, as opposed to 48 in 2016. 

The drop wasn't uniform, however, with homicide and rape either staying at or slightly increasing from 2016 levels. Police bundle many of these charges under the term 'part one crime,' which they say is at its lowest in a decade. They credit officers being more proactive, grant-funded programs, better community relations and other strategies.

"The police can't do it alone," Lt. Weaver said. "If the community steps up, which they are, they're the ones that can change their community the fastest."

Councilman-at-large Torrance Harvey says the results will help reshape the perspective some have about the city, and help them to drive other initiatives to improve the city for residents.

It changes the narrative of Newburgh being crime-ridden," Harvey said. "We've heard that narrative, we've heard that story. It's an old story and we're tired of it. We wanna restore this great city back to its historical legacy."

Joe Alvarez, founder of community organization We Are Newburgh, agrees. 

"People need to recognize and look at Newburgh differently," Alvarez said. "I'm a firm believer that if you change the attitude of the people, you change the city." 

Officials say they are happy with the progress so far, and will continue their collaborative work to ensure that the downward trend continues, and gets even better.

"We're not satisfied with a 15 percent reduction in crime. We believe this is only the beginning," Newburgh City Manager Michael Ciaravino said. "This is only Newburgh Police Department 1.0. We know that we're onto something good here; now we need to be able to sustain it, be able to evolve our policing models, not become complacent."