Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The latest crime report from the Springfield Police Department shows a nearly 7% increase in reported serious offenses in 2024 compared to the previous year. SPD reports the breakdown of Group A incidents and arrests for major offenses such as murder, robbery and narcotics violations to the National Incident-Based Reporting System. The data for 2024 indicates a rise in crimes in the three categories – crimes against persons, property and society.
Violent crime increased
Springfield reported nine murders in 2024 compared to five in 2023. Aggravated assaults rose by nearly 18% with 731 cases reported compared to 621 last year. Intimidation cases also increased, up 24% to 563 from 454.
While the number of rape cases was similar to last year, fondling incidents rose 92% from 38 to 73 cases.
Some offenses declined. For example, kidnapping/abduction cases dropped nearly 13% from 63 to 55.
Crimes against property rose
The overall number of property crimes increased more than 2%, with burglary/breaking & entering cases rising by 39% – 1,735 cases in 2024 compared to 1,245 in 2023.
Motor vehicle thefts also saw a nearly 15% jump from 574 to 659.
However, larceny/theft offenses—which make up a large portion of property crime—decreased by 14% from 3,645 in 2023 to 3,131 in 2024. Arson cases decreased about 7% from 39 to 36. Other decreases included counterfeiting/forgery and fraud.
Crimes against society surged
Crimes against society, which include drug, weapons, and prostitution offenses, saw the biggest percentage increase—more than 32% overall.
Drug-related offenses rose sharply with drug/narcotic violations up close to 31% from 452 in 2023 to 591 in 2024. Drug equipment violations more than doubled with a 110% increase – 120 to 252.
Weapons law violations rose 20%, reaching 835 cases compared to 693 in 2023. Prostitution cases increased from 2 cases in 2023 to 16 in 2024. Prostitution and assisting or promoting prostitution classify as Group A offenses for reporting.
On Jan. 23, Chief Ken Scarlette and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives of the Chicago Field Division announced the formation of the Springfield Firearms Task Force and indicated the collaboration had started operation last fall.
In 2024, SPD recovered a record number of illegal firearms to the tune of 505 firearms from the city streets, according to Scarlette. That contributed to a 15% increase from previous years.
“We actually saw that our confirmed shots fired went down by 10%. So, there is a correlation between the efforts that we conduct, especially with our federal partners, to get some of those illegal firearms off the streets and how that will actually benefit our community,” said Scarlette.
Total crime numbers
In total, Springfield police reported 17,644 Group A offenses in 2024, up from 16,495 in 2023. The SPD report is available at https://www.springfield.il.us/Departments/PoliceDepartment/CrimeStats.aspx.
Scarlette’s goals for SPD moving forward
A new initiative on the horizon is the addition of a real-time information center similar to larger cities. Scarlette said it helps make the department’s response to crimes and investigation of crimes more efficient. He says an individual will monitor the radio and have access to license plate readers, cameras systems, and other technology that allows the investigation to begin the minute the call is dispatched.
SPD also has several specialized units. In addition to community engagement teams and regular patrols, SPD operates a Street Crimes Unit, drug enforcement units, and the new Springfield Firearms Task Force.
Scarlette said the city council has been supportive of law enforcement and recognized Mayor Misty Buscher for backing the department and first responders. He noted that Buscher and the council have supported efforts to expand technology. After three years as chief, he stressed the importance of keeping up with advancements in technology that help solve crimes and reduce crime rates.
Scarlette also urged the public to help in combating illegal gun activity in Springfield by reporting any information about individuals unlawfully possessing firearms, especially those without FOID cards or involved in criminal activity. Scarlette emphasized that community cooperation is key to making Springfield safer, stating that “working together with all 113,000 residents is the best way to achieve that goal.”
