Crime down in Raleigh in 2025, with new emphasis on downtown, Glenwood South

Crime in Raleigh is down or unchanged in nearly every category in 2025, a trend Chief Rico Boyce credits to extra attention being paid around downtown and Glenwood South.

In a news conference Tuesday, Boyce called violent crime “flat” so far this year, noting that robberies have fallen by 6% and aggravated assaults by 7% compared to this time last year.

Raleigh has averaged 32 homicides annually over the last three years, according to ABC11’s safety tracker, and Boyce said that rate remains the same.

“We’re seeing continued progress in key categories,” Boyce said. “I want members of the community to know we are here for you. We are going to continue with a high level of community engagement. We’re going to continue to be transparent.”

In other crime categories:

• Property crime fell by 12%
• Commercial burglaries rose by 3%
• Residential burglaries fell by 14%
• Motor vehicle theft dropped by 27%

Boyce attributed much of the crime drop to Raleigh’s “summer action plan,” which focused officers’ attention on nightlife, parks and greenways, transportation hubs and the streets around clubs and bars.

As part of this, the department created a “hospitality district” around Glenwood South, Fayetteville Street and the downtown transit mall.

Alcohol, noise and panhandling complaints persist in Raleigh, and in August a Wake County judge ruled that parts of the city’s nightlife ordinance were illegal and unenforceable.

Boyce gave the hospitality district a new captain, a lieutenant, four sergeants and a host of officers, including two-full time bike officers for quick response.

“This strategy allowed us to be visible and present,” the chief said.

“Community engagement”

Boyce said much of the department’s strategy involved placing officers on the street when crimes aren’t happening to create more trust and communication.

This included the “cops on the block” program that lets residents in all six Raleigh districts talk with police in non-emergency settings.

He also cited success with five “Raleigh Hoop Nights” over the summer in which officers played basketball with kids in numerous community centers on Fridays.

“No matter what part of town, no matter what you look like, we’re going to show you what we do every day,” Boyce said.

No modified mufflers

Despite the falling numbers overall, Boyce said Raleigh continues to see a spike in noise violations. He did not have specific numbers Tuesday.

The problem comes mainly from motorcycles and cars that have illegally modified their mufflers. The city will continue to educate drivers about these illegal changes that dramatically increase the volume of their engine noise, Boyce said.

This story was originally published September 2, 2025 at 11:25 AM.

Josh Shaffer

The News & Observer

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Josh Shaffer is a general assignment reporter on the watch for “talkers,” which are stories you might discuss around a water cooler. He has worked for The News & Observer since 2004 and writes a column about unusual people and places.