Local law enforcement saw an increase in violent crime in 2016. Newton County saw more murders in 2016 than the seven in 2015. The Covington News ran a multi-part series on crime in the county in July.

While the crime rate slowed down after the summer months, the year still saw an uptick in violent crimes in the county and thefts in the city. 

<-- See. No. 4: Square transformation

See. No. 6: BOC financial issues -->