The Knoxville Police Department recently reported a citywide reduction in key crimes for the year 2024, with particularly notable declines in murders and non-fatal shootings. According to the preliminary 2024 priority crime report, Knoxville has seen a 45 percent reduction in non-fatal shooting victims, down from 77 in 2023 to 42 in 2024. Furthermore, murders have decreased slightly, with one less occurring in 2024 compared to the previous year, as detailed in a report released by the Knoxville Police Department.
Chief of Police Paul Noel expressed his pride in the performance of the police officers, "I am extremely proud of the tireless efforts of our officers throughout 2024," he remarked, praising their dedication and collaboration with the community. Mayor Indya Kincannon also commented on the achievements stating, "Public safety is job #1, and these numbers prove our efforts are paying off." Both officials attribute the drop in violent crimes to the combined work of law enforcement and the Knoxville community, according to the Knoxville Police Department.
Additional statistics provided by the department showed a decline in aggravated assaults by two percent from the year prior. Robberies, in contrast, have seen a slight uptick, with a three percent increase equating to five more reported incidents. The report also highlights significant reductions in property crimes, with car burglaries decreasing by 22 percent, burglary or breaking and entering reports dropping by 15 percent, and a 12 percent drop in motor vehicle theft reports.
These preliminary figures, despite being currently unaudited by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, contribute to a broader trend of declining crime rates in these specific categories within the city. The KPD's East District particularly showcased this trend with a 27 percent reduction in murders over a two-year period, decreasing from 24 in 2022 to 8 in 2024. This decrease is also nearly 50 percent down from the five-year historical average for the city, establishing a foundation for further safety initiatives.
Knoxville's complete year-end summary of crime data will undergo standard auditing by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, as is customary for all Tennessee law enforcement agencies. The full report with audited data will be made available following this process. For those interested in reviewing the preliminary figures, the complete summary is accessible on the Knoxville Police Department's official website.
