HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — Hagerstown Police Chief Mark Holtzman says crime has declined in the city’s downtown corridor as the Washington County Board of education considers relocating the school board offices to the area.

The Herald-Mail reports Holtzman presented information about the police department’s downtown safety plan. That involves a downtown squad and auxiliary police officers to help with patrols.

Holtzman says property and violent crimes have decreased. He says there were 133 property crimes downtown last year, compared with 227 in 2005. The department recorded 28 violent crimes in 2012, compared with 51 in 2005.

In 2012, auxiliary police officers were placed downtown. They wear uniforms and carry police radios but aren’t sworn officers.

If the school system moves its headquarters downtown, Holtzman says it get access to downtown security camera feeds.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)