WTVM Editorial 10/30/24: Local crime down

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) – When it comes to solving murder cases, the national average success rate is just 55%.

But Columbus boasts a 92% homicide clearance rate, an impressive feat.

That was just one positive statistic found in the city's most recent crime report.

Compared to the same period last year, the murder rate fell by almost 30%, the number of robberies by 27.2% and the number of stolen cars by 16.5%.

These impressive numbers show an improving picture when it comes to crime in Columbus.

A decline in major crime rates was also reported nationally, but it turned out that these national figures were incorrect.

Major cities failed to report their rapidly rising crime statistics to the FBI, resulting in an upward revision of national crime statistics.

Compare that to Columbus, which reported its crime numbers in a simple and easy-to-understand format, giving the public confidence that local police were doing a good job.

In 2023, the city officially classified 37 deaths as homicides, and so far in 2024 there have been 26.

There were a total of 191 robberies in 2023, but there were only 139 in 2024 through October.

And stolen vehicle crimes fell from 545 in 2023 to 451 this year.

The number of serious assaults also fell year-on-year, from 473 to 418.

Police work is hard, mostly thankless work.

Anyone who has watched videos online of police officers making arrests knows that in doing their jobs, police sometimes face noncompliance, a lack of respect, hostility, or worse.

We should be grateful for the many talented law enforcement officers in every city and county in the two states we serve.

We should be grateful for their overall patience and professionalism – and for their persistence in solving crimes and providing some peace of mind to the families of crime victims.

Congratulations to the Columbus Police Department for their efforts to reduce crime in 2024.

There is still a lot of work to be done to reduce crime, but these numbers are certainly encouraging.

Let's help police solve cases and help make our area a better place to live.

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