Brown Deer reports historic crime reduction with theft down 54% since last year

The Village Board Meeting held on March 3, 2025, in Brown Deer, Wisconsin, highlighted significant reductions in crime rates, particularly in theft and robbery, marking a notable achievement for local law enforcement. The meeting featured a report indicating a 54% decrease in theft and vehicle theft compared to the previous year, with 2024 recording the lowest theft figures since 2000.

The police chief attributed this decline to effective partnerships, particularly with Walmart, and community crime prevention efforts, such as promoting vehicle security measures. Robbery incidents also saw a significant drop of 41%, the lowest since 2018, while motor vehicle thefts decreased by 44%, the lowest in a decade.

However, there was a noted spike in burglaries, primarily due to a single incident at a storage facility, which inflated the overall statistics. The chief reassured the community that these incidents were isolated and did not reflect a broader trend.

The meeting also reviewed police activity over the past year, reporting a total of 17,681 calls for service, which included traffic stops and other law enforcement activities. The number of municipal citations issued decreased, reflecting the overall drop in crime, while traffic citations showed a slight increase, attributed to ongoing road construction and a return to normalcy following previous challenges.

Overall, the meeting underscored the village's commitment to public safety and the effectiveness of collaborative crime prevention strategies, with officials expressing optimism about maintaining these positive trends in the future.