CMPD Reports Substantial Decrease in Violent Crime in Q1

Published on April 10, 2025

CMPD Reports Substantial Decrease in Violent Crime in Q1

Data-driven policing initiatives contribute to significant Q1 reductions: violent crime declines 17% and property crime falls 4%

Charlotte, N.C. – (Thursday, April 10, 2025) – Today, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) announced a strong start to 2025, demonstrating the effectiveness of its proactive policing initiatives and unwavering commitment to community safety. Citywide crime fell 6% overall during the first quarter of the year. This includes a notable 17% drop in violent crime and a 4% decrease in property crime compared to the same period in 2024.

These positive results, covering data from January 1 to March 31, 2025, underscore the CMPD’s ongoing commitment to proactive, data-driven policing and community collaboration to maintain public safety across Charlotte's 411-square-mile jurisdiction.

“These first-quarter results are a testament to the dedication and hard work of our officers and employees and the effectiveness of our strategic initiatives,” said Police Chief Johnny Jennings. “By implementing innovative policing strategies and fostering strong community partnerships, we are making measurable progress in reducing crime and enhancing public safety across Charlotte. Together with our community partners, we are building safer neighborhoods, strengthening community trust and ensuring that all residents feel secure.”

In addition to traditional policing operations, the CMPD continues to innovate with programs like the Coordinated Overlap Response Effort (CORE 13), Connect Charlotte and Community Huddles Addressing Targeted Solutions (CMPD CHATS).

Launched in late 2024, CORE 13 strategically deploys officers from all 13 divisions to areas with increased victimization identified using real-time data. In Q1 2025, CORE 13 officers addressed 82 violent incidents, made 25 arrests and seized 17 firearms.

In one CORE 13 operation, officers seized an AR rifle, over 1,000 grams of marijuana, and arrested a convicted felon on multiple charges, including firearm and drug possession.

“The targeted efforts of CORE 13 are yielding tangible results,” said Major Bret Balamucki. “We are seeing significant crime reductions in areas where we’ve focused our efforts, such as a 37% drop in violent crime incidents in our Steele Creek Division and an impressive 60% reduction in the Beatties Ford and LaSalle area. This demonstrates the real impact of data-driven policing."

Another program activated by the CMPD in late 2024, Connect Charlotte, leverages technology across the community to create an interactive map of security cameras. The program allows residents to register their security cameras and businesses to integrate their systems with the CMPD. More than 1,900 residential and business security cameras have been registered or integrated with Connect Charlotte, supporting faster and more effective investigations. Registering a residential camera does not grant CMPD access to a live video feed. In less than six months, Connect Charlotte has led to arrests in criminal cases and continues to play a key role in both deterring and solving crimes.

To engage with the community on a deeper level, CMPD leaders in multiple divisions, including Eastway Division, North Tryon Division, Westover Division and Hickory Grove Division recently held several CMPD CHATS. These focused gatherings include elected leaders, officers, residents and business owners who work together to create shared safety goals while building trust. By the end of April, all 13 divisions will have participated in additional meetings, totaling 39 CMPD CHATS events.

CMPD is also proactively addressing traffic safety. The Special Services Bureau, which includes CMPD’s Motors Unit, Accident Reconstruction Unit and Special Events Division, is making a significant impact on our roadways.

Since January, traffic enforcement along high-injury corridors has led to 2,386 traffic stops and 2,952 citations, both over 100% increases from last year. Another new program, the Civilian Crash Investigation Unit, has responded to over 2,000 minor, non-injury crashes and assisted with nearly 3,000 calls for service in the first quarter. That’s 38% of the total crashes CMPD handled during that same time frame, freeing sworn officers for higher-priority calls.

Additionally, CMPD has expanded its Civilian Traffic Control Officer (CTCO) program, training nearly 50 additional civilian staff to assist with traffic management during events. This allowed the department to avoid pulling on-duty officers away from patrol during a recent major event, demonstrating how innovation and strategic operational planning can improve safety and efficiency.

Looking ahead to late spring, major events like the Lovin’ Life Music Fest and PGA Championship are scheduled for May and CMPD is ensuring officers are prepared to maintain safety during large-scale public gatherings.

“We are confident in our ability to effectively manage the anticipated increase in visitors and ensure the safety of all attendees during these upcoming large public events,” said Deputy Chief David Robinson, who oversees the Patrol Services Group. “Our comprehensive operations plans ensure our officers are fully prepared to handle traffic and crowd control for the thousands of visitors we expect.”

The following statistical breakdown provides an overall snapshot of crime in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2024:

Violent crimes: 1,344 offenses in 2025 compared to 1,626 offenses in 2024.
Homicides: 20 in 2025 compared to 32 in 2024.
Aggravated assaults: 1,026 in 2025 compared to 1,203 in 2024.
Rapes: 36 in 2025 compared to 62 in 2024.
Armed robberies: 156 in 2025 compared to 211 in 2024.
Property crimes: 8,511 offenses in 2025 compared to 8,835 in 2024.
Residential burglaries: 382 in 2025 compared to 420 in 2024.
Commercial burglaries: 864 in 2025 compared to 563 in 2024.
Larcenies from automobiles: 2,510 in 2025 compared to 2,358 in 2024.
Vehicle thefts: 1,530 in 2025 compared to 1,939 in 2024.
Arsons: 39 in 2025 compared to 41 in 2024.

The graphics from our First Quarter Media Briefing can be downloaded here: 2025 First Quarter Public Safety Briefing Graphics.

To view the full press conference, visit our Facebook website or our YouTube Channel below.