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DURHAM -- Total violent crimes in Durham are down through the first half of the year. Police Chief Jose Lopez addressed city council with that message Monday night.

Homicides through the first six months of the year are 35 percent lower over the same period last year. But, sexual assaults are up 22 percent, and vehicle thefts in the Bull City are up as well.

Lopez says he is encouraged by the trend.

"I think that crime will go down as long as the citizens of Durham continue to not accept it and continue to work with its police department and city government in order to bring it down."

Lopez also got preliminary approval from the council to lend some officers to Charlotte. Durham police will help the Queen City cover the Democratic National Convention in September.