Blog: KPD News & Alerts

KPD Releases Preliminary 2023 High-Priority Crime Report

The Knoxville Police Department has released the preliminary 2023 high-priority crime report, which reflects a significant decrease in crime in Knoxville.

The number of murder victims dropped from 36 in 2022 to 24 in 2023, a nearly 35-percent reduction and the lowest total in the City of Knoxville since 2019 (22). As of January 2, 17 of the 24 murder investigations are closed either by arrest or exceptional means, a 70-percent closure rate. Additionally, the number of non-fatal shooting victims dropped 12 percent compared to 2022. That reduction included a 54-percent decrease in murders and a 20-percent decrease in non-fatal shootings in the East District.

“I am so overwhelmingly proud of the men and women of this department, whose collective, relentless efforts throughout 2023 resulted in a meaningful reduction in crime,” Chief of Police Paul Noel. “Preventing crime and improving community safety in all corners of the City are our top priorities, and our officers across every rank and assignment continue to display an unceasing commitment to that mission.”

“As we enter the new year, I am so proud to say that crime numbers are down all across our city,” said Mayor Indya Kincannon. “These trends are an example of what we can achieve when we all come together with a heightened commitment to public safety and the well-being of all Knoxvillians. Thank you to Chief Noel, all of KPD, our violence reduction partners, and LaKenya Middlebrook and the Office of Community Safety and Empowerment—all your hard work is making a huge difference in our city.”

Knoxville also saw a notable decrease in several property crime categories in 2023, including a 34-percent decrease in reported car burglaries, an 11-percent decrease in reported motor vehicle thefts and a seven-percent decrease in reported burglaries.

Total reported robberies matched the 2022 total, while aggravated assaults were up eight percent compared to 2022. It is believed that around 55 percent of reported aggravated assaults in 2023 were domestic in nature.

The complete year-end summary can be found here. The unofficial data has not yet been audited by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, which is standard for all Tennessee law enforcement agencies.

Posted by serland On 02 January, 2024 at 1:34 PM