Community Efforts Help Cut Down on Homicides

LONGVIEW — Longview police are attributing a decline in homicides this past year to increased community patrols and officers taking a more active role in the community. Longview had four reported homicides in 2011. That was down from 10 in 2010; 11 in 2009; nine in 2008; five in 2007; 10 in 2006; and seven in 2005.

Here’s a look at the four homicides:

September 27: Police were dispatched to the 1100 block of Hutchings Boulevard, where the body of 31-year-old Orion Marcel Peoples was found. Authorities later arrested 18-year-old Troy Carnell Saddler of Longview in the death.

October 13: Officers were called to the 800 block of Travis Avenue in connection with shots fired. Victor Anthony, 34, of Longview was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. No arrests have been made in connection with Anthony’s shooting death.

March 7: Longview police were dispatched to the 100 block of East Melton Street after family members found 25-year-old Danielo Eugene Nelson dead with a gunshot wound. Dexter Levin Prince was arrested the following day, charged in connection with Nelson’s death.

The most recent death was December 8, when police were called to the 1600 block of Oden Street after a woman reported stabbing her husband after he hit her. Ray Dorphus Jacobs was transported to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said the incident is being investigated, and no arrests have been made.