The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) has shared their 2024 Third Quarter Public Safety Report, revealing mixed crime trends in the city. Overall crime rates have stayed relatively steady through September 30, with property crime down 1% but violent crime up 6%. Deputy Chief Jackie Bryley emphasized, “CMPD’s Homicide Unit investigates each and every case tirelessly, and they are dedicated to achieving a resolution and justice for each life lost and for the victims’ families left behind,” a statement obtained by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
Vehicle thefts have stayed the same as last year, but larceny from vehicles dropped by 9%. In contrast, homicides increased by 28% compared to 2023. Assaults with deadly weapons rose by 4%, and incidents of pointing a gun went up by 8%. "The CMPD’s Homicide Unit continues to exceed the national average, maintaining a 5-year average homicide clearance rate of 80%. In 2024, the Homicide Unit cleared 70% of its homicide cases through the third quarter," Bryley said, as per the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
Aggravated assaults, often marked by the use of a weapon or threats in grave circumstances, have registered a 7% rise. Major Ryan Butler noted a particular concern over Organized Retail Crime, which has shown over 900 incidents and is believed to be driving the increase in aggravated assaults. "The city has seen a rise in these crimes, which are increasingly violent and threaten the safety of retail employees and customers," Butler explained. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's efforts have led to the arrest of five suspects linked to a series of shoplifting turned robberies, identified as Zaniya Howard, Soverria Davis, Heaven Manning, Amiya Beatty, and Shaquilla Martin.
The graduation of Recruit Class 197 has added 48 officers to patrol, and the new Recruit Class 200 will start in December, boosting the department's strength. Additionally, the Civilian Crash Investigations Program is set to launch by the end of the year, allowing trained civilians to handle property damage-only traffic crashes so officers can focus on more urgent calls. This initiative follows after "officers spent more than 31,000 hours responding to these types of calls" in 2022, as stated in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's report.
The crime rate statistics for 2024 compared to 2023 reveal decreases in rapes and armed robberies. At the same time, there are increases in commercial burglaries and arson.
