Lincoln Police Department Releases Public Safety Report

Published on April 10, 2025

Part 1 crime, which includes violent crime, is at a 20-year-low

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and Lincoln Police Chief Michon Morrow today discussed the Lincoln Police Department’s 2024 Annual Report and highlighted that Part 1 Crime continues to decrease and is at a new 20-year low. According to the report available at lincoln.ne.gov/LPDAnnualReport2024, Part 1 Crime fell by 7% compared to 2023 and by 10% compared to the five-year average (2019-2023). The Part 1 categories of violent crime, robbery and all thefts in Lincoln are also down.

“The LPD 2024 Annual Report shows that our commitment to public safety is paying dividends: today we live in one of the safest capital cities in the country,” Mayor Gaylor Baird said. “I’m proud of our team at LPD whose outstanding work keeps our community members safe and secure and protects our high quality of life.”

Joining Mayor Gaylor Baird and Chief Morrow at the news conference were City Councilmembers Tom Beckius and Tom Duden.

Crime statistics are compiled by the Lincoln Police Department (LPD) as part of the FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System and some of that data is summarized for the annual report. LPD responded to 115,785 calls for service in 2024, which is 337 more than 2023.

Chief Morrow said that, despite the Lincoln growing by approximately 50,000 residents over the past 20 years, violent and property crimes continue to decrease, and violent crime is down by more than 25%.

“I want to reiterate my pride in the work our officers and professional staff do every day to uphold the mission and values of our department. It’s that effort – along with partnerships with organizations, businesses and community members – that keeps Lincoln safe and a great place to call home,” Morrow said.

Mayor Gaylor Baird noted three achievements illustrated in the report data:

  • After setting a 20-year low in 2023 for Part 1 crime – which includes violent crimes – Lincoln reduced Part 1 crime even further in 2024, setting a new 20-year low.
  • The clearance rate for violent crimes (homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, rape) is 53.8%, up nearly 21% from 2023 – the highest rate of cleared cases since 2010.
  • The number of LPD applicants hired in 2024 was 29, a 26% increase from 2023.

Other 2024 LPD report findings include the following:

  • The clearance rate for all Part 1 Crime (homicide, aggravated assault, robbery, rape, auto theft, burglary, all thefts, arson) is 29.9% for 2024, a 14% increase from 2023.
  • Auto thefts, which includes attempts, were up less than 2% in 2024. Data shows that 45% were left unlocked, 22% had the keys inside and 4% of the stolen vehicles were left running. Nearly 93% of the vehicles stolen in 2024 have been recovered.
  • Shootings and shots fired decreased 13.6% in 2024 compared to 2023.
  • Larceny from autos decreased 12% compared to 2023 and decreased 30% compared to the five-year average.
  • The number of stolen firearms in 2024 was 163, a 29% increase from 2023. 33% of the stolen guns were from vehicles. 87% of those vehicles were unlocked. 30% of the guns stolen in 2024 have been recovered.
  • The number of mental health calls increased 5% to 4,162 in 2024, compared to 4,006 in 2023.

Morrow also announced that LPD received its 11th award from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. LPD has been accredited by the organization since 1989, she said, which involves a years-long process that ensures the department is in compliance with the latest research and information driving law enforcement standards nationwide.

Beckius thanked LPD and community partners for their commitment and dedication to maintaining public safety.

“The data presented in the annual report reflects the hard work of our law enforcement professionals and the collaborative efforts of our community members and local organizations. Together, we continue to make strides in reducing violent crime and ensuring the safety and security of everyone who calls Lincoln home,” Beckius said.

More information on LPD is available at police.lincoln.ne.gov.

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