NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – Crime is trending down in Norfolk, and that’s a trend heading in the right direction.

Police Chief Mark Talbot told Norfolk City Council that 2024 was a less violent year in the Mermaid City.

Talbot said that while crime is trending downward and new officers joining the department is trending upward, there’s still plenty of work to do to continue moving the needle.

“This is the hardest city in the region to police,” Talbot said. “It just is.”

The chief addressed council about the challenges and successes that his department has worked through.

“It’s a safer city than its been in quite a number of years,” Talbot said. “Gun violence is down significantly.”

Total violent crime dropped by 18%, while homicides went down 12% in 2024. There are currently 540 officers in the department, with room for about 600. Total crime went down by 5%. Talbot said that continued staffing shortages means police must rely on technology like Flock cameras to make up the difference.

“[It’s] the complexity of the policing challenges related to the population,” Talbot said.

Technology, coupled with the hard work of officers, has also led to a 40% reduction in non-fatal shootings, while robberies went down by 13%. Some residents say they’ve felt a difference.

“Where I live, I feel safe,” said Norfolk resident Keyoka White. She hopes crime doesn’t start ticking up again.

“Some people are going to steal, kill and destroy, whatever they have to do,” White said.

The department still struggles with property crime and youth offenses.

Moving forward, Norfolk police wants to provide more assistance for victims of violence, through a soon-to-come victim services unit.

“We want to be able to do more than we traditionally have done with victims and witnesses and others that have been impacted by the trauma of crime,” Talbot said.

Recruitment and retention of officers will continue to be a big focus.

To learn more about job opportunities with the Norfolk Police Department, click here.