According to published reports, 2012 FBI crime numbers show that when compared to other cities its size, Fayetteville has some of the highest crime rates in the country.
The city is fifth overall in property crimes, sixth in burglaries, and eighth in larcenies.
But these are titles Fayetteville police say it doesn't deserve.
"I think it's very unfair to call Fayetteville, North Carolina the most dangerous city in the state," Fayetteville Police Chief Harold Medlock said.
Medlock says he has restructured the police department and is addressing the city's crime problem by concentrating on the high crime areas.
"It's putting officers based on crime data in those areas at the time when the calls for service are the highest," Medlock said.
But the chief won't be getting a lot of help in the form of new officers.
Monday night, Fayetteville City Manager Ted Voorhees presented a no-tax increase budget without a proposal that would have funded up to 15 additional officers. All but one council member voted to approve the new budget.
"Our number one priority is public safety, and I think in a $152 million budget we could have found $700,000 to fund more police officers," council member Jim Arp said.
Medlock left city hall Monday night saying he was not surprised or disappointed.
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