The Brookhaven Police Department has released its 2024 annual report, 10 years after the start of the government agency.
BPD uses the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting program to collect data on crime patterns and trends. According to the report, Brookhaven Police tracked 443 larcenies, 151 burglaries, 130 motor vehicle thefts, 93 aggravated assaults, 65 robberies, 14 rapes, and five homicides between Jan. 1, 2024 and Dec. 31, 2024.
There was a 36 percent reduction in total property crimes in three categories: larceny, burglary, and motor vehicle theft. Larceny incidents dropped 64 percent from 1,232 in 2023 to 443 in 2024.
“These improvements reflect the department’s continued efforts in proactive policing, community engagement, and data-driven crime prevention strategies,” the report said.
Reflective of the dip in crime, the number of arrests made by Brookhaven police officers was down from 2,960 in 2023 to 2,707 in 2024. The number of calls received by the department was up, however, from 66,976 in 2023 to 71,422 in 2024.
BPD uses automated text messaging to poll those who have requested police services. The report does not list the number of participants polled or how many responded, but states a 94.5 percent citizen satisfaction response.
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BPD’s K9 program consists of four officers and four canines trained to find narcotics and assist patrol. In 2024, the K9 unit with the assistance of 23 agencies made 146 arrests, and seized $265,905 in currency.
Traffic incidents in 2024 totaled 156, leading to 164 arrests. Only four accidents involved serious injuries, but 294 hit-and-run accidents were reported. The department issued 1,175 traffic citations.
Other data points in the report:
- A rising trend in firearms with illegal modifications and homemade weapons led the department to provide agency-wide training;
- Police drones took 1,900 flights and flew 2,428 miles;
- Its 4 percent employee turnover rate was the lowest since Brookhaven incorporated.
