Detroit, Michigan – Detroit has reached historic lows in homicides, shootings, and carjackings in 2024, therefore attaining a major turning point in its fight against violent crime. Early estimates show that the city had 203 homicides last year, a 19% drop from 2023 and the lowest count since 1965. Local, county, state, federal, and community organizations working together to achieve this amazing decline.
Under Police Chief Todd Bettison, the Detroit Police Department (DPD) stated that non-fatal shootings also saw a notable decline with 606 events in 2024, down 25% from the year before and almost half the count from two years prior. Carjackings dropped 15%, following a declining trend that has seen a 71% drop since 2015, the year Project Green Light started.
Mayor Mike Duggan commended the collaboration of agencies for their unrelenting commitment to undoing the increase in violence afflicting the city during the COVID epidemic.
“This coalition came together two years ago to try to reverse the spike in violent crime during Covid,” said Mayor Duggan. “What’s happened is far more remarkable.”
The coalition consists of Wayne County authorities, federal representatives, Michigan State Police, court leadership, and the Detroit-Wayne Integrated Health Network among other partners. Community groups, particularly the city’s six ShotStoppers violence intervention teams, have also played a crucial role in these efforts.
The foundation of their success, chief Bettison said, is the multi-agency cooperation. He noted that the unified goal and plan of the city, county, state, federal, and community partners made this tremendous progress possible.
The DPD has launched various strategic projects aimed at maintaining the favorable trend. With 80 officers, the department created a new Neighborhood Response Team in 2024 specifically assigned to handle illegal street parties—a common precursor of neighborhood violence. Furthermore, the city has increased the urgency of 911 calls concerning such events therefore guaranteeing a quick police reaction.
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Following a considerable success following a major wage increase for officers in November 2022, efforts to keep a robust police force have been effective; the agency notes that 99% of sworn posts are occupied. The introduction of cutting-edge technologies such as Evolv scanners at big public events has further strengthened security protocols, therefore supporting the general safety enhancements noted throughout the city.
Detroit’s overall 7% drop in violent crimes and 4% drop in property crimes in 2024 highlight the extent to which the coalition’s comprehensive policies have worked. These successes show Detroit’s approach to public safety has undergone a major change; continuous efforts expected to keep crime rates low and enhance community well-being.