Overall, crime in Springfield in 2022 was down 17% (-4,092 reports) compared to 2021, according to the Springfield Police Department’s 2022 Annual Crime Report. The reports track and analyze more than 50 crime types in three categories: crimes against persons, crimes against property and crimes against society. The report also contains a comparison to crime report numbers from 2021.
In 2022, there was a 5.1% decrease (-315 reports) for crimes against persons, a 21% decrease (-3,257 reports) for crimes against property, and a 19.2% decrease (-520 reports) for crimes against society.
“Through tracking and releasing crime data, we can give citizens a realistic look at crime in our community,” Police Chief Paul Williams said. “The information helps us identify successful policing strategies as well as highlighting areas where we can make improvements through community-wide participation in crime prevention.”
This is the second year SPD has been able to compare a full year’s worth of crime report data since switching to the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), administered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in January 2020. The implementation of NIBRS allows for a significantly more comprehensive look at crime in the community compared to the data tracked in previous years.
The 2022 crime report also features updated clearance rates. Clearance rates are fluid and change over time as investigations progress and eventually lead to prosecution. The side-by-side comparison serves as an example of how clearance rates have and will continue to evolve.
SPD’s crime prevention initiative was launched in 2022 and will continue in 2023 with focused efforts to reduce crime in the community. With the public’s help, SPD can continue the trend of reducing crime in Springfield. To learn more, visit springfieldmo.gov/crime.