Charlotte crime up overall in 2024; violent offenses up

UNSPLASH

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police reported an overall drop in crime in 2024 despite a rise in murders and aggravated assaults. The agency also announced several initiatives to lower juvenile crime and recidivism as well as community policing.

Overall crime in Charlotte rose in 2024 as violent crime spiked, according to police.

Police reported  7,413 offenses in 2024 compared to 7,215 in 2023, as well as 111 homicides compared to 89 the year before – the second-highest total since at least 2009. Aggravated assaults totaled 5,679, slightly higher than 2023’s 5,542.

Overall crime sank by 3% in terms of victimization and overall incidents in 2024, which police officials said was due to greater focus on juvenile crime, automobile thefts, street takeovers and blunting violent crime in areas of high victimization.

CMPD’s data is consistent with the National Incident-Based Reporting System, which is focused on victimization as opposed to incidents. For example, if a gun is fired at a home with eight people inside, all eight are considered victims.

Violent crime was up 3% in victimization but down 1% in the number of incidents, which included a 4% increase in aggravated assault by pointing a firearm.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, CMPD launched the Coordinated Overlap Response Effort, or CORE 13 initiative to boost officer presence in the 13 divisions covered by the department. During the initiative’s first two months, police seized 75 firearms and 123 arrests were made. This initiative was a driver in lowering violent crime by 4% in the fourth quarter.

“Violent crimes resonate through entire neighborhoods impacting everyone in their path,” Major Bret Balamucki said. “CORE 13 is making a significant difference by taking guns off the streets, increasing officer presence and arresting suspects in highly victimized communities.”

Property crime dropped 4% in 2024 largely due to a decrease in auto property crimes. Coming into 2024, automobile thefts were a major concern across Charlotte, though targeted efforts to reduce them led to a significant decline in these crimes. Auto thefts decreased by 8% while auto thefts involving Kias and Hyundais were down 15%. Larceny from auto incidents were down 10%, and guns stolen from those incidents were down 9%.

Juvenile crime fell overall due in part to the launch of the Juvenile Accountability and Diversion Empowerment, or JADE, which focuses on juvenile investigations, monitoring at-risk youth and conducting operations to lower crime and recidivism through providing resources and education to families of juvenile offenders. Police last year conducted 200 home visits of at-risk youth and arrested 122 juveniles involved in criminal activity.

Juvenile-involved violent crimes fell by 2%, with assaults with a deadly weapon down 21% while incidences of juvenile victims were down 2%. There was a 12% reduction in juvenile property crime suspects and juvenile suspects involved in criminal incidents dropped by 9%.

“Whether they are your children or someone else's, juvenile crimes impact every one of us,” said Lt. Erik Tran-Thompson. “In 2024, thanks to JADE officers and proactive policing in each division, we successfully reduced juvenile crime. Juveniles make mistakes, and we work to educate them and their families, but we must hold violent and repeat offenders accountable for their actions.”

CMPD also launched new initiatives in 2024. In the fourth quarter, police implemented the Heartbeat initiative to increase visibility of officers in Charlotte’s core. Patrol vehicles across all 13 divisions always utilized steady blue lights or cruise lights to improve the presence of officers in neighborhoods, deter criminal activity and provide a sense of security and approachability.

CMPD also launched Connect Charlotte, a pilot program that leverages technology to enhance community safety. Connect Charlotte significantly expanded the department’s ability to gather evidence in neighborhood investigations by accessing registered residential cameras. It also locates registered cameras in the area where a crime occurred and request footage from the homeowner and gathers evidence from businesses with cameras to share with investigators.

CMPD is considering adding a new program – Drone as First Responder – to respond before an officer with information ahead of any police interaction. Drones can send visual information to  officers in advance of arrival, which can help them de-escalate potentially dangerous situations faster.

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