A Community at a Crossroads: Understanding Crime in Pulaski County

At Arkansas Baptist College, community members, law enforcement, prosecutors, and youth service leaders came together for a public conversation on one of Pulaski County’s most pressing challenges: violent crime. The July 30 panel discussion was part of a broader effort to explore evidence-based strategies, including Group Violence Intervention (GVI), to make communities safer.

The community meeting was the first in a series of three public meetings on violent crime in Pulaski County. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 27 at 10:00 a.m.

This episode features the panel discussion at the first meeting. The panel included Little Rock Police Chief Heath Helton, Assistant Director of the Arkansas Division of Youth Services Kimberly Key-Bell, Pulaski County Prosecutor Will Jones, and Chief Deputy Prosecutor for Pulaski County Casey Beard.

Chief Helton noted that many homicides involve young people between the ages of 12 and 24, predominantly African American males. He emphasized that most incidents are not random, but rather acquaintance-related or domestic disputes. “Public safety is a role for everybody,” he said, underscoring the need for partnerships between police, neighborhoods, and community organizations.

Pulaski County Prosecutor Will Jones highlighted the strain on the court system, which was carrying more than 250 open homicide cases when he took office. “That’s 250 families still waiting for justice,” Jones said. His office has since reduced that number to 159, but he stressed that traditional prosecution often comes too late.

“The number one deterrent isn’t the length of the sentence—it’s the certainty of being caught,” Jones explained. He called for early intervention strategies, pointing to GVI as a way to address violence before it escalates. “We have to figure out how we intervene earlier to prevent people from even landing with us in the first place,” he said.

Kimberly Key-Bell, Assistant Director of the Arkansas Division of Youth Services, spoke about the unique challenges facing young people in the justice system. Housing a single juvenile in state custody costs more than $120,000 per year, she noted, yet confinement alone rarely leads to long-term success.

“Our justice system is not designed to be punitive—it’s designed to be rehabilitative,” Key-Bell said. She pointed to “ghost kids”—students who left school during COVID-19 and never returned—as a warning sign. Many now struggle with literacy, placing them at greater risk of dropping out and encountering the justice system. “A kid that can’t read is going to act out,” she said, urging earlier support, more mentors, and programs that keep youth engaged.

Panelists agreed that no single institution can solve violent crime alone. Beard highlighted the importance of collaboration and transparency, while others emphasized the role of community members in supporting prevention and accountability.

Jones underscored the need to protect victims’ families while also safeguarding the rights of the accused. “We are involved from the beginning, protecting rights while also making sure families are not forgotten,” he said.

The panelists acknowledged limitations—severe staffing shortages, funding challenges, and systemic barriers—but stressed that progress is possible when the community works together.

Chief Helton urged residents to get to know their local officers and attend neighborhood meetings. Key-Bell called for mentors willing to “stick and stay” with youth. Prosecutor Jones encouraged citizens to help spread accurate information and Chief Deputy Prosecutor Beard said we must support efforts to break down silos.

The community meeting was the first in a series of three public meetings aimed at creating safer streets and stronger communities in Pulaski County.

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