COLUMBUS — The Columbus Police Department closed the year without a single homicide, marking the first time in at least 18 years the city has gone 12 consecutive months without a killing, police officials said.
The milestone comes amid significant declines in overall crime across the city, according to statistics presented to the Columbus City Council. Data from ADSI show double-digit decreases in every major crime category over the past year.
Violent crime fell by 37 percent, while incidents involving battery and domestic violence dropped by 34 percent, police said. Property crime saw the largest reduction, declining 42 percent citywide.
Police Chief Joseph Daughtry said the homicide-free year is one of the most significant public safety achievements Columbus has seen in nearly two decades and reflects a broader shift in how the department operates.
“A year without a homicide is more than a data point on a whiteboard. It’s a sign that our city is moving in the right direction,” Daughtry said. “These numbers happened because our officers worked as a team, and our community chose to partner with us. We have reached a level of safety that Columbus hasn’t seen in nearly two decades. Our goal is to make this the new standard.”
Daughtry emphasized that the reductions were not tied to a single initiative, but rather to a departmentwide focus on accountability, teamwork and community trust.
He also noted that while the city experienced a vehicular death during the year, the incident has not been ruled a homicide and did not affect the department’s statistics.
“I’m just proud of the hard work, and I want it to be known that we didn’t do it by ourselves,” Daughtry said. “Our district attorney helped us with crime reduction, and our community engagement.”
Daughtry said improved relationships between officers and residents have played a critical role in the department’s success.
“When I got here, these folks weren’t talking to the police,” he said. “Now they’re calling us, and people don’t understand how helpful that is.”
Police officials credited officers, civilian staff and community partners for the reductions, saying increased communication has led to more cooperation and more effective policing. As the department looks toward 2026, Daughtry said maintaining momentum and continuing to build trust will remain the top priorities.
