Atlanta crime overall continues declining. Community programs lead the change

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Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum (center) presented how crime data in the first five months of 2025 compares to last year during a "Conversation with the Chief" event May 13, 2025.

Credit: Amanda Andrews / GPB News

Atlanta’s police chief and members of the department’s Criminal Investigations Division report crime has gone down in many categories. The department credits using a wide range of strategies for the improvement.

Homicide, vehicle theft, and shootings are all down compared to this time last year. Vehicle theft saw the largest decline, from 1,347 cases in May of 2024 to 790 this year.

Chief Darin Schierbaum said the city provided resources for owners of car brands that were being stolen more often.

“The mayor was able to orchestrate pop-up shops in our city where you could have your KIA or Hyundai fixed with the fix that needed so individuals couldn’t exploit that vulnerability," he said. "Citizens responded to that."

APD said programs like midnight basketball, diversion services and the Atlanta says NO MORE campaign against domestic violence led to a decrease in violent crime.

Schierbaum said homicide prevention starts with friends and family practicing conflict resolution and being a positive influence.

“I don't expect anyone to step in the middle of a gunfight, but we all have what we can do to prevent that to ever reaching that level,” he said. “So it is a community answer. It's not a police answer because we don't have those abilities to be there all the time.”

There has been a slight rise in some crimes including robbery and sexual assault. APD reports 26 cases of rape compared to 21 this time last year and 202 robberies compared to 154 in 2024.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens recently proposed a 19% increase in police funding. APD reports some of the money will go toward expanding the C.A.R.E Unit, a civilian unit handling non-emergency calls.