Mayor and City Leaders Announce 2025 Mid-Year Crime Statistics & Ongoing Violence Prevention Efforts
Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, alongside Police Chief Michael Troendle and a coalition of city and community leaders, delivered Toledo’s mid-year crime update today, marking continued progress in reducing crime while acknowledging the pain of a difficult July Fourth weekend.
Compared to the same period last year, Toledo saw significant reductions in nearly every major crime category. From Jan. 1 to June 30, 2025, homicides declined by 21 percent, robberies fell by 24 percent, and the number of people shot dropped nearly 29 percent.
Key statistics include:
Persons shot: Down 28.7% (72 in 2025 vs. 101 in 2024)
Homicides: Down 21% (15 in 2025 vs. 19 in 2024)
Robberies: Down 24% (142 in 2025 vs. 187 in 2024)
Theft from motor vehicles: Down 18% (426 in 2025 vs. 518 in 2024)
Burglaries: Down 15% (539 in 2025 vs. 632 in 2024)
Auto thefts: Down 6% (546 in 2025 vs. 578 in 2024)
“Behind each of these numbers are names of neighbors, friends, and loved ones. Behind every stat are stories of loss, pain, and anger. We never lose sight of that,” Kapszukiewicz said. “But it’s also important to understand where we stand in the bigger picture. The story of the second half of this year hasn’t been written yet. We will keep working to write a better ending for 2025.”
Mayor Kapszukiewicz pointed to recent investments in housing, youth programs, neighborhood cleanups, and trauma recovery as critical parts of the city’s public safety strategy.
Key highlights include:
70+ summer youth programs offered this year
300 unsafe, vacant structures demolished
1.2 million pounds of neighborhood waste cleared
230 new affordable housing units built and 35 families became first-time homeowners
70 youth and young adults receiving support through Save Our Community program
30 community leaders trained in Rewire CBT, a behavioral intervention strategy for youth
“There is no single solution. There are many approaches, each of them imperfect and incremental, but all are vital to building a safer, healthier, more hopeful Toledo,” Kapszukiewicz said. “Even when it doesn’t feel like it, we are still moving forward.”
Toledo Police Chief Michael Troendle said the department remains focused on reducing violence while building trust.
“We are encouraged by this progress, but we are not letting up,” Troendle said. “Our department remains committed to building trust and ensuring every neighborhood feels these gains. We will continue investing in proven strategies that prevent crime before it starts.”
Malcolm Cunningham, director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, shared updates on the city’s multi-agency prevention strategy.
“Safety is not just the absence of violence. It’s the presence of opportunity, healing, and connection,” Cunningham said. “In the past month, we’ve grieved. We’ve comforted families. We’ve sat with neighbors who are angry, afraid, and tired of seeing violence repeat itself. And we’ve continued working every day to build the infrastructure for long-term, sustainable change.”
Cunningham highlighted several initiatives currently underway, including the implementation of the Peace in Motion strategy, creation of a Violence Review Committee, the Healing and Compassion Fund for survivors of violence, and Mowbility Aid, a youth employment program focused on maintaining vacant lots.
He also announced the launch of a $2 million federal Community-Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative grant, which includes a Capacity-Building Academy for grassroots groups, a microgrant fund for frontline organizations, and a comprehensive analysis of violence prevention systems in partnership with Bowling Green State University.
Joe Fausnaugh, director of Parks and Youth Services, emphasized that youth programs play a central role in public safety. “In Toledo, we understand that safe communities are built around beautiful places to gather, play, and grow,” Fausnaugh said. “That’s where our Parks and Youth Services come in.”
Fausnaugh cited more than $28 million in park upgrades since 2018 and the recent opening of the new Wayman Palmer YMCA as important physical investments, but stressed that true prevention work is about people.
“We know that youth engagement is one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent violence and build safer neighborhoods,” Fausnaugh said. “That’s why, since 2021, the City of Toledo has invested $7.2 million directly into youth programming, funding 322 programs that served nearly 200,000 children and teens."
Audrey Johnson, Program Director for Shoot This Not That, and Pastor William Foster from the Indiana Avenue Baptist Church also made remarks about the community's role in continued progress. They urged residents to stay engaged, speak up, and continue playing an active role in shaping a safer, stronger Toledo for everyone.
####