The Wichita Police Department is reporting a significant decline in violent crimes for 2024, compared to the previous year.

Police Captain Aaron Moses gave City Council members a report this week on the latest crime numbers.   He said fatal shooting incidents have dropped 41.2 percent compared to a year ago, and they’re 12.7 percent lower than the five-year average.    There have been 64 non-fatal shooting incidents and 17 fatal incidents so far this year, compared to 84 non-fatal and 24 fatal incidents at this time in 2023.

There have been 20 homicides so far this year, compared to 25 at this time last year, for a decline of 20 percent.   That is a 15 percent decline from the five-year average.   Rape incidents are 28 percent below last year and 37 percent below the average over the past five years.  Robberies are up three percent from a year ago, and aggravated assaults are up five percent.

Part one violent crimes are up two percent compared to a year ago, but they are down two percent compared to the five year average.

Moses talked about the statistics as he presented information to City Council members this week on a federal grant from the Project Safe Neighborhoods program.   The Justice Department program is aimed at reducing gun violence , and the Wichita Police Department uses the funding to create and foster safer neighborhoods by reducing violent crime.
Funds in the 2023 grant will be used to fund the Youth Citizens’ Police Academy to foster positive interactions between local youth and law enforcement; and will fund overtime salaries to support additional patrol shifts in high-crime areas.    The latest grant is for $79,340.

Moses said the key components for the program are community engagement, data analysis, coordination and prevention and intervention.   He said a portion of the funding has been used to reduce gang violence, with the Citizens Police Academy and youth engagement efforts.