A 32% drop in overdoses and a 24% reduction in traffic crashes in 2024 are two of the success stories detailed in the Chattanooga Police Department’s 2024 annual report. The report also touts the professionalism of its officers and the department’s new approaches to law enforcement and community safety.
The report reveals that Chattanooga police officers used force to resolve 0.15% of their encounters with community members – an indicator of the department’s focus on policy compliance and de-escalation techniques, the CPD notes in a news release.
The 2024 report also underscores progress in crime reduction. Notable areas include a 9% decrease in crimes against persons compared to 2023, an 11% decrease in crimes against property and a 21% decrease in non-fatal shootings.
Overdoses decreased by 32% overall, with fatal overdoses dropping by nearly half. Factors contributing to the decline include proactive enforcement, education campaigns and strengthened partnerships with public health organizations, the CPD’s news release states.
The CPD saw a 24% reduction in total traffic crashes in 2024. This decline reflects the department’s efforts to improve road safety through enforcement and education, the news release observes.
The report also provides data on the work of several specialized units within the department including the Gun Team, Victim Services, Crisis Co-Response, the Real-Time Intelligence Center and the Drone Unit.
Their efforts, along with the work of the entire department, focuses on problem-solving through intelligence and advanced technologies, supporting crime victims and their families and responding to individuals in crisis with compassion, says CPD Chief John Chambers.
“We’re proud of the progress we made in 2024 and of what the CPD has accomplished with members of our community,” Chambers adds. “By building relationships and collaborating, we’ll continue to work toward our shared goal of ensuring people within our community not only feel safe but are safe.”
Full report