The North Carolina Department of Public Safety released its latest “Trends in Reported Crime in NC” covering the first six months of 2026. The numbers paint a mixed picture for law‑enforcement agencies across the state.
Overall crime down, property offenses leading the way
Property crimes fell the most, decreasing by 11.9% compared with the same period last year. Violent crime also trended lower, down 5.8%. These declines suggest that many traditional crime‑prevention strategies are bearing fruit.
Domestic‑related violence on the rise
Despite the broad downward trend, crimes tied to intimate‑partner violence have surged. Kidnapping and abduction offenses rose 4.6% over the past year, while intimidation (threats and stalking) increased 8.2%.
Women bear the brunt of these offenses: 79% of kidnapping/abduction victims and 58% of intimidation victims were female. More than half of all kidnapping cases (54%) involved the victim’s intimate partner, and 15% of intimidation offenses were committed by a partner.
Gun‑related offenses continue to fall
Crimes involving firearms showed further improvement. Homicides committed with a gun dropped 14.1%, and other gun‑related offenses fell 8%. However, general weapon violations—non‑firearm offenses such as illegal possession—crept up 2.1%.
Other notable changes
- Motor‑vehicle theft and counterfeiting/forgery charges each declined by more than 20% over the last year.
- Drug‑related crime slipped 2.1%.
- The state cautioned that while the downward trend is encouraging, it is too early to declare a permanent turning point.
What the data means for North Carolinians
Caroline Farmer, executive director of the Governor’s Crime Commission, said the report provides “strong trend information” that helps law‑enforcement agencies allocate resources more effectively, support victims, and target emerging needs. The rise in kidnapping and intimidation underscores a worrying increase in intimate‑partner violence, even as overall violent crime declines.
Local officials and community groups are being urged to focus outreach and prevention efforts on families affected by these trends. By strengthening victim‑support services and promoting education about healthy relationships, the state hopes to reverse the upward swing in domestic‑related offenses.
Overall, the 2026 crime report offers both cause for optimism—thanks to significant drops in property and gun crimes—and a clear warning that intimate‑partner violence remains a pressing challenge for North Carolina families.
Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.
