Violent Crime Rates Stagnant In North Carolina’s Largest City For 2023
Finally some (somewhat) good news! It feels like everywhere I turn these days it’s just negative things and bad news. But statistics released today by CMPD show that violent crime rates have held steady in Charlotte North Carolina. The violent crime statistics highlighted the 2023 End-of-Year Public Safety Report. Though in 2021 and 2022 the rates decreased. Regardless the department attributes the rates to “multiple successful operations targeted toward overall crime” and an increase in applications and hiring.
“Staying flat in violent crime is no small feat in a city as large and as fast-growing as Charlotte,” said Special Investigations Bureau Major Michael Ford in a press release. “It takes a holistic approach. We are strategic about placing our officers in the most critical areas of the city to increase visibility and proactively deter violent crimes.”
Despite the homicide rate decreasing there was an increase in property crimes according to the data. Another concerning statistic is a rise in juvenile crime. The department referred to it as “one of the biggest challenges” of the year. This included Shootings involving a juvenile suspect as well as shootings involving a juvenile victim. Additionally, Juvenile property crime suspects were up 86% in 2023.
Here are the statistics according to CMPD that provide an “overall snapshot of crime in 2023 compared to 2022”:
- Violent crimes: 7,221 offenses in 2023 compared to 7,213 offenses in 2022.
- Homicides: 95 in 2023 compared to 107 in 2022.
- Aggravated assaults: 5,546 in 2023 compared to 5,368 in 2022.
- Rapes: 244 in 2023 compared to 286 in 2022.
- Armed robberies: 1,335 in 2023 compared to 1,452 in 2022.
- Property crimes: 38,187 offenses in 2023 compared to 32,757 in 2022.
- Residential burglaries: 1,965 in 2023 compared to 2,013 in 2022.
- Commercial burglaries: 2,365 in 2023 compared to 2,118 in 2022.
- Larcenies from automobiles: 11,323 in 2023 compared to 10,444 in 2022.
- Vehicle thefts: 8,032 in 2023 compared to 3,648 in 2022.
- Arsons: 148 in 2023 compared to 148 in 2022.
You can read the full press release here.
These Are The Most Dangerous, Violent Crime Ridden Cities In North Carolina
I’m all about personal safety. As a woman, there are just certain things I won’t do. Things like pumping gas at night, rolling my window down in my car for any reason other than a drive-thru, or engaging with anyone I don’t know who approaches me in places like a parking lot. Most apartment complexes won’t rent first-floor apartments to women either. These are just some things guys don’t have to worry about. And I wish I didn’t either. But unfortunately, the world we live in makes women have to be super vigilant and aware of our surroundings. My personal safety just takes priority as it should for everyone. Even though most of the Carolinas are fairly safe, bad things can happen anywhere. But there are some places where crime is more common than others. So what are the most dangerous cities in North Carolina?
NeighborhoodScout conducted the research to answer that question. And it may not be the answer you are expecting. Their research highlighted the 100 most dangerous cities in America. These are cities with a population of 25,000 or more people. And the rankings are based on the number of violent crimes per 1,000 residents. For the purpose of this list Neighborhood Scout considers violent crimes to be rape, armed robbery, and aggravated assault. According to their methodology, “the data used for this research are the number of violent crimes reported to have occurred in each city, and the population of each city.”
A total of 9 Carolina cities made this list. With 5 of the most dangerous cities being in North Carolina, while 4 were in South Carolina. The most dangerous city in the US overall? That was Bessemer Alabama, followed by Monroe, Louisiana. You can read the full list via Neighborhood Scout here or keep reading to see the North Carolina cities that made the list.
Melanie Day is a graduate of North Carolina State University. She has worked for Beasley since 2012 in a variety of behind-the-scenes roles in both digital and promotions. Melanie writes about a diverse range of topics some of her favorites include travel, restaurants, Taylor Swift, and college athletics. When not at work you'll find her at a country concert or NC State sporting event.