Police reports ‘dramatic drop’ in violent crime across Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WJZY) — Charlotte-Mecklenburg police announced a dramatic drop in crime for the first half of 2025, with overall crime down 8% and violent crime down 25%.

CMPD credits the drop to proactive policing, stronger community engagement, and targeted programs, like the JADE team, which works with at-risk youth.

Homicides are down 29%, aggravated assaults down 25%, and auto thefts down 22%.

“Our department isn’t just focused on making arrests,” Captain Michael Carter of the Steele Creek Division said in a written statement. “We’re committed to making a difference in the lives of young people. That’s why our JADE officers continue to make home visits to families of at-risk youth and to provide educational resources aimed at prevention and support.”

Despite the positive trend, some challenges remain.

Burglaries are up 7%, and car break-ins rose slightly. CMPD encourages residents to lock vehicles, secure valuables, and join programs like Connect Charlotte to support public safety.

CMPD said its ongoing reform efforts, including the Serves initiative, have also led to fewer use-of-force incidents and complaints, showing a shift toward more community-focused policing.

Snapshot of crime through the Mid-Year of 2025 compared to the Mid-Year of 2024:

Violent crimes: 2,760 offenses in 2025 compared to 3,688 offenses in 2024
Homicides: 42 in 2025 compared to 59 in 2024
Aggravated assaults: 2,110 in 2025 compared to 2,825 in 2024
Rapes: 81 in 2025 compared to 138 in 2024
Armed robberies: 306 in 2025 compared to 412 in 2024
Property crimes: 17,524 offenses in 2025 compared to 18,356 in 2024
Residential burglaries: 795 in 2025 compared to 869 in 2024
Commercial burglaries: 1,557 in 2025 compared to 1,144 in 2024
Larcenies from automobiles: 5,062 in 2025 compared to 4,931 in 2024
Vehicle thefts: 3,120 in 2025 compared to 4,013 in 2024
Arsons: 71 in 2025 compared to 81 in 2024

You can watch Thursday’s news conference below: