The Chattanooga Police Department released projections on Tuesday showing decreases across several categories of shootings. As of Tuesday, Chattanooga has had 111 shooting incidents compared to 123 shooting incidents in all of last year, a 10% decrease in overall shooting incidents. Of these total shooting incidents, 2014 saw an 18% decrease in group or gang-related shootings.
Fourth-quarter comparisons show an even greater decrease, with 42% fewer total shooting incidents and 50% fewer group or gang-related shooting incidents this year over last year’s fourth quarter.
“Thanks to the hard work of our police officers as well as community efforts, we are seeing the shootings decrease in Chattanooga, and our goal is to see that trend line continue,” said Mayor Andy Berke. “The work doesn’t stop here. We will remain vigilant in our push to make Chattanooga’s streets safer.”
The CPD also projects 300 fewer total crimes this year over last. Included in that total crime number is a 12% decrease in robberies and a close to 4% decrease in property crimes.
“Our officers have made great strides in how we gather intelligence, especially as it relates to group-related activities, and these improvements are reflected in the progress we’ve made this year,” said Police Chief Fred Fletcher. “We’re confident that with a continued decrease in shootings, coupled with community policing, we will see our homicide rates decline as well.”
CPD projections for overall crime rate and property crime are calculated through Nov. 30, and are preliminary. CPD projections for total shootings (including both group related and non-group related) are current to date. Final year-end numbers will be available for release in mid-January, 2015, after all reports have made it through data entry and quality control.