Grand Rapids police report declines in auto thefts and shootings; commissioners seek disaggregated assault data

Grand Rapids Police Chief Strum presented the department’s crime and operations update to the Public Safety Committee, reporting encouraging trends in auto theft and shootings while acknowledging recent high‑profile homicides and ongoing investigations.

The chief highlighted that better staffing levels have increased the department’s ability to respond to and document incidents, which affects reported counts. He noted two November homicides (Nov. 6 and Nov. 12) that spurred investigations and arrests in at least one case, and said the department had closed several older homicide investigations. Chief Strum also said 415 illegally possessed guns had been taken off the street through October and described the recent spike in reports that staffing now allows officers to record.

Commissioners asked about clearance‑by‑arrest metrics and the composition of the "aggravated assault" category used in the department’s records management system. The mayor and others said the aggravated‑assault basket can include a wide range of incidents; the chief agreed to provide more disaggregated shooting and felony assault data in future reports so the committee can better understand trends.

Chief Strum stressed the department’s caution in interpreting aggregated counts and emphasized anecdotal successes where individual interventions led to arrests or case closures, while the committee underscored the value of more granular reporting for community clarity.

What’s next: the police department will provide disaggregated shooting and assault data at a subsequent meeting and continue to brief the committee on staffing and clearance trends.