Raleigh police chief says violent crime flat, property crime down 8%; outlines summer action plan

Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce told the Raleigh City Council at a work session that, year to date, violent crime is flat compared with 2024 while overall property crime has fallen 8%, and he outlined a summer action plan and several permanent operational changes to sustain the trend.

Boyce said the department is making personnel and program changes tied to five priorities he issued upon taking the job: employee development and wellness, community engagement, crime reduction strategies, operational efficiency and accountability.

"I am pleased to report that overall crime in Raleigh is currently trending downward compared to the same period in 2024," Boyce said. He added that the department will publish quarterly crime statistics for media and the public and announced a summer action plan running June 1 through Aug. 31 that uses intelligence-led deployment to target nightclubs and events spaces, transportation hubs, public parks and greenways, and hospitality and nightlife corridors.

The chief gave specific counts and trends: the city recorded 15 homicides last year and the same number year to date in 2025; two of this year's cases are related to an officer-involved shooting on Democracy Street, and 14 of the homicide cases he discussed had been cleared by arrest. Robberies increased 19% (185 incidents versus 155 in…