CRPD statistics show crime in Cedar Rapids is on the decline

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – New data from the Cedar Rapids Police Department shows crime in the city is down, thanks in large part to an initiative that meets face-to-face with people believed to be most likely to break the law.

Cedar Rapids police posted a so-called snapshot of the city’s crime situation online.

• Homicides in 2024 (January 1 to October 31) decreased by 88% compared to the five-year average.
• There was one murder this year, compared to the previous five year average of eight.
• The number of serious assaults has fallen by 9% compared to the five-year average.
• The number of reports of shootings has been halved – there have been 44 reports so far this year, compared to the five-year average of 101.

The police contribution recognized Group Violence Intervention (GVI), an initiative of Foundation 2.

If you’ve never heard of the GVI program, it’s because the group takes privacy seriously.

“It is strictly confidential. You know, the people we work with, we work very quietly and confidentially,” said Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell.

Another reason you may not have heard of GVI is that if it serves its purpose, there’s nothing to talk about.

“Success for the Group Violence Initiative means there is no news, no murders and no crime,” O’Donnell said.

Although no crime indicator has reached zero in Cedar Rapids, the trend is decreasing.

So what exactly does this measure do to reduce crime in the city?

“The City of Cedar Rapids implemented the Group Violence Intervention Model in late 2020 in response to increasing group and gun violence,” said Erin Langdon, Chief Operating Office of Foundation 2 Crisis Services.

The campaign is carried out by Foundation 2 and, together with the police, the non-profit organization targets people who are at high risk of becoming involved in violence.

“There is evidence that there is a small segment of the population that causes the most violence in a community,” Langdon said. “What we’re doing with PD is they’re letting us know who might be at higher risk for this violence.”

Foundation 2 and its partners then approach these people, inform them about the consequences of violence and provide them with offers that help them achieve their goals without violence.

“It often looks as if there is a stable housing situation and a job. It can be as small as trying to work toward getting your driver’s license reinstated,” Langdon said.

O’Donnell said this holistic approach is an evolution in policing and the numbers show it’s working.

“None of us want to get there late, and I think one of the reasons we’re seeing a decline in numbers is the commitment to proactive community policing,” she said.

The statistics published by the police are updated every month.

Mayor O’Donnell said it’s a way to give people a glimpse into the city’s community policing activities.

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