KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville Police Department is continuing to see a positive trend in crime throughout the city.
In the first quarter of 2024, from Jan. 1 to March 31, the number of non-fatal shooting victims was down 58% compared to 2023. There were six murders through the first three months of 2024. According to KPD, that is even with the number of murders in 2023, but three below the five-year historical average and two below the 10-year historical average.
“We continue to enjoy a meaningful reduction in crime through the early part of 2024,” Knoxville Police Chief of Police Paul Noel said. “I am proud of our officers’ consistent efforts to make Knoxville as safe as possible. Our officers are doing an exceptional job of both making themselves visible throughout the community and aggressively targeting violent, habitual offenders to remove them from the streets. Our close working relationship with the City’s Office of Community Safety and Empowerment and the City’s partnership with the Violence Reduction Center are also making a difference.”
All priority property crimes are down a combined 20% compared to the same time in 2023. Priority property crimes include burglary, vehicle burglary and motor vehicle thefts. Reported vehicle burglaries are down 52% compared to 2023, while motor vehicle theft reports are down 21%, KPD said.
All priority crimes against persons are down a combined 6%, though robberies are up from 26 incidents through March 2023 to 37 incidents through March 2024. After a brief surge in the early part of 2024, the number of robbery incidents has seen a 31% decrease over the past 28 days, according to Knoxville Police.
“As I continue to stress, public safety is job number one, and I am so proud to see so much significant progress across our city,” Mayor Indya Kincannon said. “These trends continue to reinforce the power of collaboration. Together, KPD, the Office of Community Safety and Empowerment, and all of our violence reduction partners are making a big difference when it comes to the safety and well-being of all Knoxvillians.”
The numbers were compiled by the Knoxville Police Department's Crime Analysis Unit.
