Durham Police report fewer violent crimes overall but spike in homicides in first quarter

Durham Police Chief Andrews told the City Council on May 22 that the department's first-quarter 2025 statistics show an overall reduction in Part I violent crimes but a notable rise in homicides. "We saw an overall reduction in our Part I violent crime total," Chief Andrews said during the presentation, noting the exception: homicides increased from six to nine in the comparable period last year.

The chief said 15 homicides have occurred year to date; of nine reportable homicides in the quarter, seven were classified as criminal, one as domestic violence related, two as negligent manslaughter and one as justifiable homicide. She also said 51% of robberies involved a firearm and that aggravated assaults with firearms accounted for about 59% of aggravated assaults.

Why it matters: Council members and staff emphasized that the numbers reflect real people and neighborhoods. Chief Andrews described sustained work across investigative units and partnerships with federal and community partners to identify and arrest people responsible for violence. "We are working very hard to be able to address who is causing this violent crime within the community," she said.

Supporting details: The department reported declines in reported rapes and robberies overall but said commercial robberies, particularly retail, increased. Property crimes also trended downward, with motor-vehicle thefts falling about 16% and a recovery rate of 82% for stolen vehicles. Police said many vehicle thefts are linked to organized groups operating in networks.

Gun-related trends: Police reported 183 firearms seized in the quarter and said 27 guns were reported stolen in the first quarter, a number above recent years' trajectory; 68% of guns stolen during the quarter were taken through a vehicle window break. The department also described difficulty investigating some shootings when victims are driven to hospitals and the scene is not immediately reported.

Community response and follow-up: Council members pressed for more data and for outreach to communities disproportionately affected, including Hispanic/Latinx victims: the chief noted 32% of robbery victims in the quarter were Hispanic/Latinx and said several recent robberies involved victims followed from places where they carry cash.

Next steps: Chief Andrews said staffing has improved to 78% of sworn positions following recent academy graduations and recruiting efforts including targeted outreach. Council members asked staff to provide geographic, heat-map data on shootings and homicides for follow-up meetings.

Ending: The report was presented as item 24 on the agenda; it was informational and did not include a formal council vote. Council members and staff said the department and community partners will continue prevention and enforcement work and report back with requested maps and follow-up data.