Greenville Police Chief reports 16% drop in crime and positive citizen survey results

In a recent Greenville City Council work session, the police department reported a significant reduction in crime rates for the first half of 2025, highlighting a 16% decrease in both violent and property crimes compared to the previous year. Police Chief emphasized the department's commitment to public safety, attributing this success to the support from the city council and the dedication of the officers.

The statistics revealed a slight decrease in violent crimes, from 173 incidents last year to 169 this year, marking a 2% reduction. More notably, property crimes saw an 18% drop, with incidents falling from 1,369 to 1,122. These figures reflect the ongoing efforts of the police department to enhance community safety and build trust with residents.

In addition to crime statistics, the meeting introduced a new survey tool aimed at gathering public feedback on police interactions. This tool, which comes at no cost to the city, allows officers to send survey links to citizens after responding to nonviolent calls. The initial results are promising, with 91% of respondents rating their interactions with officers positively. Furthermore, 95% of participants felt they were treated with fairness and respect, indicating a strong community perception of the police force.

The survey also identified key safety concerns among residents, with homelessness and traffic offenses topping the list. While these issues are viewed as nuisances, the police chief noted that the absence of more serious crimes such as burglaries and assaults is a positive sign for community safety.

The council discussed areas for improvement, including increasing patrol visibility and enhancing community engagement. The police department is actively working on these suggestions, with plans to boost staffing levels and officer training in the near future.

As the city continues to prioritize public safety and community relations, the positive feedback from residents and the decline in crime rates signal a collaborative effort between the police department and the city council to foster a safer Greenville.