(Source: MIRS.news, Published Fri., Dec. 6, 2024) Overall crime in Michigan dropped in 2023 compared to 2022 and 2019, according to a new dashboard run by the Michigan State Police.

The crime dashboard website shows 199,650 crimes committed in 2023, which was a drop from 201,151 in 2022 and 202,517 in 2019. The breakdown shows the rate of violent crime was down to 45,060 incidents in 2023 from 45,791 incidents in 2022. Property crime in 2023 was down to 154,590 from 155,360 incidents in 2022 and 159,174 incidents in 2019.

“While the MSP has long been responsible for collecting and publishing crime, crash and other public safety statistics, we’re pleased to be able to utilize technology to transform these publications from hundred-page PDF reports to customizable data dashboards,” MSP Director Col. James F. Grady II said.

The dashboard contains data for five years, with 2023 being the latest full-year data available. The dashboard also contained data on hate crimes, domestic violence incidents, law enforcement officers killed, and the number of full-time law enforcement employees. 

Detroit also posted reductions in violent crime over the last quarter of 2024, showing the number of murders and shootings was down since 2021.

However, the number of violent crimes was the highest statewide in 2021, with a total of 49,107 incidents. 

The number of murders on the dashboard was highest in 2020 when 761 took place. The number of murders dropped to 586 incidents in 2023 from 691 in 2022, but was up from 574 in 2019. 

A Detroit press release from Dec. 2 pointed to community violence intervention programs helping drop incidents of violent crime at different zones. It said the programs had dropped shootings and homicides by 35 percent.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan touted the work by police.

“This is what happens when you combine excellent law enforcement strategy from the Detroit Police Department with excellent community-based prevention groups,” Duggan said.

House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) and Rep. Alabas A. Farhat (D-Dearborn) said they would like to take the ideas from the community violence intervention and put them to work in the state. 

Farhat talked about the $20 million from sales taxes that would be used for HB 4606, which he sponsored, and HB 4605, sponsored by Rep. Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights), which would be used for public safety and community violence intervention programs. 

“This has been a new concept in Lansing, but through Rep. Farhat’s leadership, he was able to get bipartisan support for this legislation and get it to the House. We’re excited what’s going to come over the next couple weeks and making sure it gets to the Governor’s desk because it is incredibly important,” Tate said.