2024 Mid-Year Public Safety Report: Overall Crime Up 1%

Published on July 22, 2024

Charlotte, N.C. – (Monday, July 22, 2024) – Today, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) released its 2024 Mid-Year Public Safety Report, revealing a slight increase (1%) in overall crime from January 1 – June 30, 2024 and no increase in property crime from 2023.

The flattening of the property crime rate in 2024 is a major improvement from a historic rise in property crimes fueled by a nationwide trend of Kia and Hyundai thefts dating back to the summer of 2022. In 2024, auto thefts increased 8%, a stark contrast from the 143% increase reported in the mid-year of 2023. The number of Kia and Hyundai thefts is up 14% through mid-year 2024. If Kia and Hyundai thefts were omitted from overall auto theft numbers, there would be a 4% decrease in overall auto thefts in 2024. The flat rate of property crime underscores the efforts of CMPD officers to proactively patrol one of the most rapidly growing cities in the nation.

“It is a positive sign that we are slowing the increase of property crime and overall crime incidents,” said Deputy Chief David Robinson in a press conference at CMPD headquarters this afternoon. “Last year, Chief Jennings met with department leadership and added the reduction of auto property crime as a top priority heading into 2024. These numbers reflect that priority as we work to reverse a nationwide trend.”

Overall, the CMPD saw increases in the following categories of police interactions:

  • Calls for Service were up 4% in 2024 (192,605 vs 185,643 YTD in 2023)
  • Overall Police Interactions increased 2% in 2024 (268,040 vs 262,018 YTD in 2023)

CMPD officers responded to this increase in volume with increased enforcement efforts recording a 5% increase in overall arrests (7,940 in 2024 vs 7,559 YTD in 2023) and a 1% increase in firearm seizures (1,738 in 2024 vs 1,721 YTD in 2023).

Despite increased enforcement actions across the board from officers, CMPD saw an 8% increase in violent crimes year-to-date in 2024. This includes the following:

  • Homicides increased 36% (61 YTD in 2024 to 45 YTD in 2023)
  • Aggravated Assaults increased 9% (2,844 YTD in 2024 to 2,620 YTD in 2023)
  • Assault with a Deadly Weapon Involving a Firearm increased 8% (2,193 YTD in 2024 to 2,034 YTD in 2023)

The CMPD is committed to doing the work necessary to address violence in Charlotte.  CMPD’s Crime Reduction Unit and Crime Gun Suppression Team conduct daily patrols in the city’s highest incident areas, to seize firearms and arrest repeat violent offenders. CMPD’s Homicide Unit has already cleared 37 of 53 homicide investigations (involving 61 victims) through June 30, for a solve rate of 70%. The Homicide Unit has maintained a 5-year clearance rate average of 80%, well above the national average of approximately 50%.

“CMPD will continue to do the important work every day of patrolling, making arrests and seizing firearms to address this violent crime, said Robinson.” But these numbers extend far beyond anything to do with policing, they point to larger societal problems. It will require a multi-faceted, joint effort approach of not only our officers, but our community and community partners to provide alternatives to violence, particularly with young people, to achieve the outcomes we desire for our city.”

This year, following a historic rise in juvenile crime in 2023, CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings made addressing juvenile crime a department-wide initiative, including advocating for the opening of a dedicated juvenile detention facility in Mecklenburg County.

In 2023, juvenile crime incidents spiked to the highest levels in Charlotte in at least the last five years. In 2024, the rise in juvenile crime incidents has continued in the following:

  • Juvenile Suspects identified in Property Crimes increased 19% (902 in 2024 vs 760 YTD in 2023)
  • Juvenile Suspects identified in Violent Crimes increased 7% (220 in 2024 vs 206 in 2023)
  • Overall Juvenile Arrets increased 12% (1,684 in 2024 vs 1,510 in 2023)

Even more disturbing and disheartening in 2024, there has been a 300% rise in juvenile homicide suspects (12 YTD in 2024 vs 3 YTD in 2023) and a 75% increase in juvenile homicide victims (7 YTD in 2024 vs 4 YTD in 2023). In 2024, repeat juvenile offenders have accounted for 61% of total juvenile arrests (1,032 repeat juvenile arrests vs 1,684 total juvenile arrests).

“The number of repeat juvenile offenders has pointed to an undeniable need for more accountability post-arrest and to house juvenile offenders in a detention facility locally.  A lack of space to house juveniles should not be an excuse for allowing repeat offenders to rack up dozens or even hundreds of charges by the time they’re 17-years-old,” said Robinson. “Due to difficulties obtaining a secure custody order for juvenile suspects, our officers only apply for them in the most serious cases. Already this year, the Department of Juvenile Justice has denied at least 62 secure custody order requests for juvenile offenders.”

Due to increased juvenile crime incidents, CMPD formed a new task force at the beginning of 2024 dedicated to providing enforcement and diversion actions for repeat juvenile offenders. The Juvenile Apprehension and Diversion Empowerment (JADE) team conducts juvenile investigations and operations and monitors the most at-risk juveniles in the Charlotte community. JADE officers perform routine home visits to those most at-risk juveniles, providing resources to build rapport and trusted relationships with the youth in hopes of breaking the cycle of recidivism.  Through the first half of 2024, JADE officers have conducted more than 100 home visits. So far in 2024, JADE has made 52 juvenile arrests and seized 36 firearms and 15 pounds of narcotics.   

CMPD’s Stolen Car and Recovery Law Enforcement Team (SCARLET) is another Department initiative leading the way in targeting repeat property and violent crime offenders. SCARLET was launched in April of 2023 to address a rise in luxury vehicle thefts both in Charlotte and across the nation. So far in 2024, SCARLET has made 68 arrests, seized 66 vehicles, 47 firearms and more than 184 pounds of narcotics. The team has also seized more than $200,000 in cash. In late May, SCARLET arrested a 17-year-old serial offender.

Anthony Celis, 17, was arrested on Friday, May 31, 2024, and charged in 27 different criminal cases in 2024 totaling 48 charges including Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill, 21 counts of motor vehicle thefts and charges related to street takeover events. 

Celis’ arrest was the result of a joint collaborative effort involving CMPD’s Crime Gun Suppression Team (CGST) along with CMPD’s Stolen Car and Recovery Law Enforcement Team (SCARLET) and North Division’s Crime Reduction Unit. The arrest of Mr. Celis is one of many examples of the successful work from SCARLET in 2024. 

“Looking ahead, the CMPD will remain laser-focused on our top priorities, reducing violent crime, auto crimes and juvenile delinquency in our community,” said Deputy Chief Robinson. “What the numbers tell us is that this is not just a law enforcement issue. It is a community issue and every citizen has a role to play. It will take all of us working collaboratively to ensure the safety of our great city.”

The following statistical breakdown below provides an overall snapshot of crime through the Mid-Year of 2024 compared to the Mid-Year of 2023:

  • Violent crimes: 3,693 offenses in 2024 compared to 3,419 offenses in 2023.
  • Homicides: 61 in 2024 compared to 45 in 2023.
  • Aggravated Assaults: 2,844 in 2024 compared to 2,620 in 2023.
  • Rapes: 121 in 2024 compared to 124 in 2023.
  • Armed robberies: 413 in 2024 compared to 429 in 2023.
  • Property crimes: 18,092 offenses in 2024 compared to 18,085 in 2023.
  • Residential burglaries: 858 in 2024 compared to 950 in 2023.
  • Commercial burglaries: 1,181 in 2024 compared to 845 in 2023.
  • Larcenies from automobiles: 4,887 in 2024 compared to 5,373 in 2023.
  • Vehicle thefts: 4,011 in 2024 compared to 3,731 in 2023.
  • Arsons: 81 in 2024 compared to 56 in 2023.

To review graphics from our 2024 Mid-Year Media Briefing, CLICK HERE.

To view the full press conference:

 

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The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, www.cmpd.org and www.JoinCMPD.com, is a progressive, technology-driven, metropolitan department that believes strongly in the principles of crime management, community collaboration, professional accountability and employee wellness. The department employs more than 1,900 sworn officers, 500 civilian employees and 500 volunteers.

 

 

 

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