Data: Columbus Division of Police; Chart: Axios Visuals
Columbus' 2024 homicide count was its lowest since before COVID-19, according to police data provided to Axios.
The big picture: The decline mirrors a nationwide drop in big cities following a pandemic-era surge. It's not exactly clear why it's occurring.
Local and federal officials credit their initiatives aimed at fighting and solving crimes, and crime analysts note broader social and psychological factors are also likely at play.
Yes, but: The 124 local homicides in 2024 are still slightly elevated when compared to data from 2013-2019.
Between the lines: Last month, the Columbus Division of Police announced it had inaccurately reported over a decade's worth of crime statistics to the state and FBI.
It has since fixed the mistake, and internal data like these homicide figures have remained accurate, officials said.