Mobile officials cite declines in major crimes as police release 2024 report

Mobile Mayor William S. Stimpson and Mobile Police Department leaders told the City Council on May 13 that data in the department's 2024 annual report show broad declines in major crimes, and council members used the update to both thank officers for recent responses and press for additional breakdowns.

The report, presented to the council and summarized by Chief Jackson of the Mobile Police Department, showed a 24% drop in all Part 1 crimes compared with 2023 and an 11% decline in violent crime. "We were down 24% in all Part 1 crimes," Chief Jackson told the council, and he listed additional year‑over‑year decreases: homicides down 24%, assaults down 36%, forcible rapes down 59%, robberies down 14%, shooting assaults down 11% and a 42% decrease in incidents of shooting into vehicles or residences.

The report mattered to council members because it arrived amid two high‑profile incidents: a shooting on Dolphin Street that officials said involved a person in mental crisis and the continuing investigation into the murder of Anika Craig. Mayor Stimpson described the Dolphin Street response as rapid and coordinated and said, "If you do it, we will catch you. And if we catch you, we're going to do everything we can to make sure that you don't get back out on the street and offend people." The mayor and the council also acknowledged support from the Mobile County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Marshals Service on other investigations.

Council members praised officers' visible patrols and the department's use of grant funding to run citywide enforcement. Councilman Ramos said officers were "doing an amazing job" on proactive enforcement in District 4, and Councilman Josh Woods noted the strengthened presence in his district.

At the same time, Councilman Corey Penn asked for more detail on how many incidents were linked to mental illness. Chief Jackson said he did not have that breakdown available immediately and offered to provide the figure later: "That's not a number I can give you right off, but I can try to get you."

There were no votes or formal policy actions tied to the report at the meeting. Mayor Stimpson and council members signaled continued partnership with MPD and federal partners on investigations, and several council members urged follow‑up reporting that breaks out causes such as domestic violence and mental‑health involvement.

The police chief and council framed the data as encouraging but emphasized that work remains; Chief Jackson concluded his presentation by thanking the council for ongoing support of the department's work and noting continued efforts to reduce crime.

Looking ahead, the council did not set a formal deadline for the requested mental‑health breakdown; Chief Jackson said he would try to provide the number to the council.