MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — Milwaukee leaders are releasing the city’s crime data from 2023. Overall, officials say the numbers show crime is decreasing when comparing 2022 to 2023.

All areas of crime saw drops, including violent crime. Homicides saw a 21% decrease and auto thefts dropped by 23%. Property crime went down 13% in 2023. Crash data was also released. Overall, crashes declined 5%, while hit-and-runs decreased by 8%. Crash fatalities went down by 4%.

It’s important to note that while the 2023 data shows improvement, crime is still not down from pre-pandemic levels, but Mayor Cavalier Johnson says this latest data shows promise. “We’ll continue to work together to make progress as we embrace the challenge to increase safety in our community and make Milwaukee safer,” said Mayor Johnson.

While acknowledging the latest data, officials also agree that a continued focus on reducing gun violence must continue in the new year.

“There’s been an uptick of young ones getting ahold of firearms in households that are not properly stored or locked,” said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman. The majority of homicides in the city involve firearms and major concerns surrounding children and violence still exist in Milwaukee.

Ashanti Hamilton, director of Community Wellness & Safety, outlined his focuses moving forward. He talked about using data to help focus crime prevention efforts in the right areas of the city and he also talked about strengthening partnerships with schools.

“There is a great effort to partner with MPS as well as other charter schools and choice schools throughout the city and how we’re going to work to get in front of young people who are at high risk for committing crimes and for being victims of crimes,” said Hamilton.

With the potential for police officers to return to schools, officials hope to keep the conversations open about how to best protect children in Milwaukee. “Working with Dr. Posely, working with MPS. I know that we had the date of having the school resource officer program passed but that is a continued process. It’s a complicated process working with many different community groups,” said Chief Norman.