CMPD Releases 2024 Public Safety Report: Overall Crime Down 3%

Published on January 16, 2025

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CMPD Makes Positive Strides in Juvenile Crime and Auto Thefts; Sees Success in Major Operations

Charlotte, N.C. – (Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025) – Today, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) released its 2024 end-of-year annual report highlighting a decrease in overall crime, and reductions in violent and property crime incidents as well as property crime victimization.

“I’m proud of the men and women who worked so hard to lower crime across the city, but also for the way they came together during our worst day on April 29 after losing four officers including one of our own, Officer Joshua Eyer, in the line of duty,” said CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings. “We learned a lot about each other in 2024. We are a close group and a resourceful one. Each day, our officers are out trying to make the community safer, and the data shows they are doing an excellent job providing the type of service our neighborhoods need.”

CMPD reported a 3% decrease in overall crime victimization and overall incidents in 2024. This is the result of the department’s focus on key areas such as juvenile crime, automobile thefts, street takeovers and curtailing violent crime in areas of high victimization.

CMPD’s data is consistent with the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). The system is focused on victimization as opposed to incidents. For example, if someone fires a gun at a home and eight people are inside of that home, all eight are considered victims. In this example, there was one shooting incident, but eight victims, and that is reflected in CMPD’s reporting system.

Violent crime was up 3% in victimization but down 1% in the number of incidents in 2024. The main driver of this rise in victimization was the 4% increase in aggravated assault by pointing a firearm.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, CMPD launched the Coordinated Overlap Response Effort (CORE 13), an initiative involving all 13 CMPD divisions to increase officer presence. During the first two months of CORE 13, 75 firearms were seized, 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,” said Major Bret Balamucki. “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%.

Charlotte also saw a decline in juvenile crime in part due to the launch of CMPD’s Juvenile Accountability and Diversion Empowerment (JADE) team. JADE’s focus is juvenile investigations, monitoring at-risk youth and conducting operations to reduce crime and break the cycle of recidivism. Throughout 2024, JADE officers conducted 200 home visits of at-risk youth and arrested 122 juveniles involved in criminal activity. JADE officers also provided resources and education to families of juvenile offenders.

Violent crimes involving a juvenile suspect decreased by 2% for the year. Assaults with a deadly weapon involving a juvenile suspect decreased by 21% while juvenile victims were down by 2%. CMPD also saw a 12% reduction in juvenile property crime suspects. In 2024, juvenile suspects involved in criminal incidents decreased by 9%.

“Whether they are your children or someone else's, juvenile crimes impact every one of us,” said Lieutenant 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.”

In December, there was a significant change in state law against violent juvenile offenders. House Bill 834, commonly known as the Raise the Age Amendment, authorized law enforcement agencies to charge 16 and 17-year-olds as adults for high-level felonies. In December, CMPD detectives identified two persons of interest in a homicide that happened in the Steele Creek Division, including a juvenile. This juvenile was the first in Charlotte to be charged with murder as an adult under the new Raise the Age Amendment.

In 2024, CMPD’s Community Engagement Division offered 12 programs aimed at providing healthy outlets and mentorship for teens and young adults. This included CMPD’s Youth Diversion Program for ages 8-17, diverting first-time offenders from the criminal justice system and toward rehabilitation courses. In 2024, CMPD had 475 participants in the Youth Diversion Program with a 6% recidivism rate.

Street takeovers, a dangerous trend, significantly declined in 2024 largely attributed to CMPD’s Transportation Division’s increased enforcement and a new law that criminalized events and added new penalties. Pop-up takeovers were down 88% in 2024, while pre-arranged events declined 71%, and street takeover vehicle seizures rose 29%.

In 2023, CMPD created the Stolen Car and Recovery Law Enforcement Team (SCARLET) which has recovered 338 stolen vehicles, seized 225 firearms and made 221 felony arrests. The team also took $4 million in narcotics off the streets and recovered $18.3 million worth of vehicles.  

Recruiting efforts continued trending in a positive direction with sworn law enforcement applications up 18% and hires up 30%. CMPD continues to hire a qualified and diverse workforce increasing incentives to draw candidates from around the country.

The Public Records Unit received and managed over 3,500 public records requests with a 98% completion rate. Requests were up 146% from 2023. Public records worked diligently to provide the public’s right to information while also protecting confidential information regarding active investigations. Maintaining transparency and accountability is among the department’s top priorities.

In December 2024, CMPD introduced its Civilian Crash Investigation Unit (CCI). This new unit was created to reduce the time patrol officers spend responding to minor crashes. These minor crashes, which don’t involve injuries, made up 71% of the crashes officers responded to per year over the past three years. Between Dec. 12- 31, CCIs responded to 306 minor crashes.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the CMPD implemented the Heartbeat initiative to increase visibility of officers in core areas of the city. Patrol vehicles across all 13 divisions utilized their steady blue lights or cruise lights at all times. This was an effort to:

  • Improve the presence of officers patrolling neighborhoods
  • Provide a sense of security and approachability
  • Deter criminal activity

In the fourth quarter of 2024, CMPD launched Connect Charlotte, a pilot program leveraging technology to enhance community safety. Connect Charlotte significantly expanded the department’s ability to:

  • Gather evidence in neighborhood investigations by accessing registered residential cameras
  • Locate registered cameras in the area where a crime occurred and request footage from the homeowner
  • Gather evidence faster from businesses that can integrate their cameras directly and share with investigators

The following statistical breakdown below provides an overall snapshot of crime victimization in 2024 compared to 2023:

  • Violent crimes: 7,413 offenses in 2024 compared to 7,215 offenses in 2023.
  • Homicides: 111 in 2024 compared to 89 in 2023.
  • Aggravated assaults: 5,679 in 2024 compared to 5,542 in 2023.
  • Rapes: 232 in 2024 compared to 256 in 2023.
  • Armed robberies: 868 in 2024 compared to 890 in 2023.
  • Property crimes: 36,996 offenses in 2024 compared to 38,507 in 2023.
  • Residential burglaries: 1,731 in 2024 compared to 1,989 in 2023.
  • Commercial burglaries: 2,463 in 2024 compared to 2,335 in 2023.
  • Larcenies from automobiles: 10,271 in 2024 compared to 11,390 in 2023.
  • Vehicle thefts: 7,445 in 2024 compared to 8,054 in 2023.
  • Arsons: 162 in 2024 compared to 143 in 2023.

Looking Forward

Chief Jennings announced his three strategic priorities for CMPD moving into 2025. These included: 

  1. Attract, recruit and retain a viable workforce
  2. Invest in optimizing infrastructure, innovation and technology needs
  3. Continue focusing on CORE4 strategic priorities that reduce crime and drive a safe and vibrant community

In 2025, CMPD is considering adding a new program known as “Drone as First Responder” (DFR), to respond before an officer arrives which can provide critical information ahead of any interaction. Drones can send visual information to the Real Time Crime Center giving officers a much clearer idea of the incident before arriving. This information can help officers de-escalate situations faster and lead to safer outcomes for everyone involved.

To review the full press conference:

For access to the Full 2024 annual report.

For access to the Graphics and data shared during the press conference(PDF, 268MB).

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