Raleigh and Durham See Decline in Violent and Property Crimes

New statistics show a drop in car thefts and overall improvements in public safety across the Triangle region.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 10:47pm

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Newly released crime data from 2025 shows that violent crimes, including homicide, robbery, and assault, are down 1% in Raleigh compared to the previous year. Property crimes such as burglaries and theft have also decreased by 17%. The Raleigh Police Department has seen a major 43% drop in car thefts during the last quarter, which they attribute to the success of their Auto Theft Task Force and the use of technology to recover stolen vehicles. Durham has also experienced a decline in crime, which officials credit to increased community outreach and the HEART program that sends the appropriate emergency response.

Why it matters

The decline in violent and property crimes across Raleigh and Durham suggests that the Triangle region is becoming safer for residents. This is an important trend as cities work to address public safety concerns and build trust between law enforcement and the community.

The details

In Raleigh, the latest annual data from 2025 shows a 1% decrease in overall violent crime and a 17% drop in property crimes like burglaries and theft. Car thefts saw a major 43% decline in the last quarter, which the Raleigh Police Department attributes to the success of its Auto Theft Task Force and the use of technology to recover stolen vehicles. Durham has also experienced a drop in crime, which officials credit to increased community outreach and the HEART program that sends the appropriate emergency response.

  • The latest annual crime data is from 2025.
  • Raleigh saw a 43% decrease in car thefts in the last quarter of 2025.

The players

Raleigh Police Department

The law enforcement agency responsible for policing the city of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Janet Cowell

The mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Leonardo Williams

The mayor of Durham, North Carolina.

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What they’re saying

“I think the property crimes going down, we had a motor vehicle task force that was very effective. We have had this connect camera program where every day residents who have all these ring cameras, you know, other things that they're using, they can register those and if there is something that happens near your house or, you know, in your neighborhood, they could call up and try to get that footage that is helping us solve almost 100% of homicides in the city.”

— Janet Cowell, Mayor of Raleigh (abc11.com)

“So there's appreciation on the policing side of the law enforcement side of it. But on the other side, we have more resources, what we're responding to, such as our HEART program. When you call on one in Durham, you can't win one. You've got to be able to tell what your emergency is, and we'll send the right response. And that is allowing us to see inward on the types of issues that folks are dealing with.”

— Leonardo Williams, Mayor of Durham (abc11.com)

What’s next

Officials in both Raleigh and Durham plan to continue their focus on community outreach, mental health resources, and the use of technology to further improve public safety in the Triangle region.

The takeaway

The decline in violent and property crimes across Raleigh and Durham suggests that the collaborative efforts of local law enforcement, community programs, and technology-driven initiatives are having a positive impact on public safety in the Triangle region.