Wichita Police Report Declining Trend in Violent Crime

Wichita Police report a significant decrease in violent crimes in 2024 compared to the previous year.

Police Capt. Aaron Moses gave a report on the latest crime numbers to City Council members this week. He said fatal shootings are down 41.2 percent from last year and are 12.7 percent below the five-year average. There have been 64 nonfatal shootings and 17 fatal incidents so far this year, compared to 84 nonfatal and 24 fatal incidents by this time in 2023.

There have been 20 murders so far this year, compared to 25 in the same period last year. That's a 20 percent decrease. That's a 15 percent decrease from the five-year average. Rape rates are 28 percent below last year's average and 37 percent below the five-year average. Robberies are up three percent from last year and aggravated assaults are up five percent.

The number of violent crimes under Part 1 increased by two percent compared to the previous year, but decreased by two percent compared to the five-year average.

Moses spoke about the statistics while presenting information to City Council members this week about a federal grant from the Project Safe Neighborhoods program. The Justice Department's program aims to reduce gun violence, and Wichita police are using the funds to create and promote safer neighborhoods by reducing violent crime.
Funds from the 2023 grant will be used to fund the Youth Police Academy to encourage positive interactions between local youth and law enforcement. It will also fund overtime pay to support additional patrol shifts in high-crime areas. The most recent grant is for $79,340.

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