COLUMBUS – Columbus city officials say crime rates in most categories declined last year, including a 33% drop in the number of homicides from the record number investigated in 2021.
Columbus saw the biggest percentage drop in homicides among the 20 largest U.S. cities, as well as Cleveland and Cincinnati, Mayor Andrew Ginther said during a press conference Thursday unveiling the year’s crime statistics.
“Community safety is our top priority, period,” Ginther said.
Nationwide, murders declined by 5% in big cities, according to the report from the Columbus Department of Public Safety and Division of Police.
There were declines in other areas of violent crime as well as the number of felonious assaults dropped by 16% and rapes decreased by 5.7%.
“We know that we have more to do and will do everything within our power to ensure the health, safety and well-being of our residents,” Ginther said.
Gun violence continues to plaque Columbus and other cities, accounting for nearly 90% of homicides in Columbus last year.
Police seized more than 3,300 firearms during the year, a record for the division, Chief Elaine Bryant said.
While the city also saw a 32% drop in the number of robberies and a 21% decline in burglaries, there was an increase of more than 27% in the number of vehicle thefts.
Bryant says 45% of the cars involved in the 7,785 vehicle thefts last year were Kias and Hyundais, targeted nationwide by young teens, known as “Kia boys,” who found the cars easy to steal and also posted “how-to” videos online.