The scene of crime in Milwaukee has witnessed a notable shift as statistics from 2024 indicate a downward trend in several critical areas. Latest figures released by the Milwaukee Police Department underscore a 23% dip in homicides from the previous year, dropping from 172 in 2023 to 132 in 2024, according to a report by CBS58. Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman have jointly acknowledged the progress while also pointing out areas in need of improvement.
Non-fatal shootings similarly fell by 24%, as per the same briefing. Chief Norman highlighted a particular concern regarding young people's involvement in preventable crimes involving firearms. "Many of those homicides were a kid with a handgun, unfortunately, using it against another child. Absolutely preventable and absolutely unacceptable," Chief Norman told CBS58. He further explained that these young individuals are not purchasing weapons through legal channels, stating, "They don’t go to a local gun store to purchase these weapons. They don’t go into a sporting goods store. These are items that are being negligently left around."
While homicides and shootings saw reductions, carjackings and auto theft incidentally recorded an increase, with carjackings up by 11% and auto thefts rising 2% from 2023. Efforts are underway to tackle vehicles being stolen, a concern raised by the police chief. An additional worry remains in the realm of traffic safety; consistent numbers of reckless driving and hit-and-run incidents are reporting approximately 5,400 cases annually, as reported by CBS58.
Yet, beneath these numbers lies a sign of effective law enforcement, as 2024 saw a considerable 78% clearance rate for homicides—a crucial statistic signifying the department's ability to solve and close cases involving these crimes, reported by FOX6. Mayor Cavalier Johnson emphasized a multifaceted approach in tackling the issue of reckless driving, mentioning that "It's not just enforcement, it's not just those physical improvements, it's educational as well and we are employing all three of those tools," according to CBS58.
As Milwaukee ventures into another year, Police Chief Norman expresses confidence in the city's ongoing strategies to further reduce crime. The Mayor echoed this sentiment by stating, "That work is underway to make Milwaukee a safer place, [it’s] paying dividends," acknowledging the significant decrease in homicides since 2022—a 39% drop from the record 215 in 2022, as reported by Urban Milwaukee. In tandem, recruitment efforts for the police department continue apace in order to sustain and build upon the positive trends observed in the city's latest crime reports.
