Macon‑Bibb reports sharp drop in homicides as Macon Violence Prevention program expands youth, mental‑health and technology efforts

At a March 4, 2025 pre‑commission meeting, Macon‑Bibb County leaders gave an update on the Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) program and reported measurable declines in violent crime since 2022 as they outlined continuing investments in youth services, mental‑health supports and public‑safety technology.

Mayor (not specified) told commissioners that “Since 2022, the overall homicide rate has decreased by 45%,” and said the county’s youth homicide rate for those 18 and younger “is down by 87%,” falling from 15 youth homicide victims in 2022 to two in 2024. The mayor said the county reduced homicides from 71 in 2022 to 39 in the most recent year, and emphasized that, despite progress, “we're not where we want to be.”

The update framed the reductions as the result of a multipronged strategy that combines community grants, school and nonprofit partnerships, and new technology. Jeremy Grissom, MVP coordinator, summarized the program’s approach and said the initiative has “provided safety equipment to support our law enforcement partners as it relates to camera…