KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Knoxville crime data from the first three months of 2026 has revealed a dramatic decrease in crime, including what police believe is the first time the city has not seen a homicide during the period since 1988, Knoxville Police said Thursday morning.
The data released Thursday showed that there had been no murders in Knoxville from January 1 through March 31, which is down from four during the same time period of 2025 and the five year average of five murders during the first three months of the year.
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Additionally, Knoxville Police said non-fatal shootings were down 82% compared to 2025, and robberies were down 19%.
The data also showed that there was a 35% year-over-year reduction in burglary or breaking and entering, as well as a 64% reduction in reported car burglaries and a 42% reduction in motor vehicle thefts compared to the previous year.
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“We are off to a great start to the year, and that is a tribute to the daily efforts and attention to detail demonstrated by the men and women of our department and our many partners,” Chief Paul Noel said. “We have leaned into both person-based and place-based strategies, focusing on the individuals most responsible for driving violence while maintaining an active, service-minded presence in areas where crime is most heavily concentrated. The first-quarter numbers are further evidence that these strategies are working.”…