Detroit crime stats show mixed results in 2016

Overall crime numbers down in Detroit

DETROIT – Detroit police Chief James Craig will be talking Wednesday about crime numbers in Detroit, but the numbers were released on Tuesday night.

Overall crime in Detroit is down, but there are still some alarming increases that need to be addressed, including car theft numbers.

Car thefts are up by 500 over last year, but carjackings, non-fatal shootings and robberies are all down.

"I say good job (to the) chief," said Alicia Denni, of Detroit. "He's working in the community."

Dennis was one of those concerned Detroiters who attended one of the many town hall meetings Craig held all over the city last year to hear what neighbors had to say and lay out what he needed from them.

Dennis was worried about thieves kicking doors in her gated community.

Craig credits community involvement with the overall decrease in crime stats, but some of the nitty gritty numbers aren't as promising.

For starters, the murder rate -- in 2015 Detroit had 295 homicides -- increased to 302 in 2016.

Non-fatal shootings are down from 1,035 to 960.

Auto theft went up by 500 in 2016, from 7,938 to 8,438.

Carjackings were down by 150, from 532 to 382, in 2016.

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About the Authors:

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.