Pembroke Violent Crime Intervention Initiative

This CVIPI initiative is focused on an underserved, racially diverse, rural community experiencing high rates of violence. Pembroke NC Police Department is a law enforcement agency in Robeson County, North Carolina with primary functions to deter crime, stop crimes in progress, investigate crimes, and respond to emergencies that threaten public safety. Pembroke is the cultural center for the Lumbee Tribe, the largest American Indian tribe east of the Mississippi River. 

Pembroke NC has a poverty rate of 45.9% (60.6% for Lumbee Indians) is 55% Lumbee Indian, 21% Black, and 16% White. The median household income is $24,034, compared to $62,843 for the US. The Pembroke homicide rate of 0.35 per 1,000 in 2020 is 10 times the US rate of .032 per 1,000. The Pembroke violent crime rate of 8.45 per 1,000 residents in 2023 is four times the US rate of 1.95 and double the NC rate of 4.05. Pembroke property crime rate of 73.31 per 1,000 residents in 2023 was triple the NC rate (20.64) and 6 times the US rate of 10.39. The chance of becoming a victim in Pembroke is 1 in 117 for violent crime and 1 in 14 for property crime. This is double the NC rates of 1 in 247 for violent crime and 1 in 48 for property crime victimization. Pembroke has 80 crimes per square mile, compared to 23 for NC.

From 2020 to 2023, the number of assaults in Pembroke has doubled, Part I Crimes are up 27%, Part 2 Crimes are up 475%, and Total Crime Frequency is up 68%. We are seeing increasing homicides due to gang and drug activity. Pembroke has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to communities of all sizes. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 12.

The CVIPI goal is to prevent and reduce violent crime in Pembroke, NC by implementing comprehensive, violence intervention and prevention programs. Pembroke P.D. will engage in intensive CVI with the following proposed goals: 1) enhance victim services with the NC-YVPC to assist Pembroke victims of crime with mental health services; 2) use Community-Oriented Policing and Violence Interrupters to assist with de-escalation of conflict: 3) implement positive youth engagement activities and diversion programming to keep youth out of the juvenile justice system; and 4) work with NC-YVPC on crime/gang prevention program design, implementation, and assessment.