Flagstaff Police outlines strategies to combat violent crime surge in 2024

Flagstaff City Council's recent work session on June 10, 2025, highlighted significant discussions surrounding public safety and crime trends in the community. The meeting revealed a complex picture of crime statistics, with a notable increase in violent crimes, yet an overall reduction in violent crime rates compared to previous years.

In 2024, Flagstaff reported 311 part 1 violent crimes, primarily driven by aggravated assaults and robberies. Despite this uptick, city officials emphasized a 15% reduction in violent crime overall, underscoring that Flagstaff remains a safe community relative to national averages. The police department is focusing on a small group of individuals responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime, aiming to enhance accountability through improved prosecutorial support.

The meeting also addressed the importance of strategic policing in high-crime areas. Officials plan to conduct a workload analysis of the Flagstaff Police Department to optimize resource allocation and ensure patrol officers engage more with the community rather than merely responding to calls. This proactive approach aims to prevent crime before it occurs.

Concerns were raised about specific crime categories, including a 150% increase in homicides, although the total number remains low. The police department is particularly focused on understanding the dynamics of violent incidents, especially those related to domestic violence and known relationships between victims and suspects.

In terms of property crime, the city has seen a decrease in residential and commercial burglaries, attributed to community engagement and education on crime prevention. However, motor vehicle theft remains a challenge, with 81 incidents reported this year. The police are addressing this through the deployment of advanced camera systems and license plate readers, which have contributed to a 22% decrease in vehicle thefts.

As Flagstaff moves forward, city officials are committed to addressing these crime trends through community collaboration and strategic law enforcement efforts, ensuring that public safety remains a top priority.