First-quarter crime statistics for 2025, presented at Monday night's City Council Meeting by Interim Police Chief Todd Joyce, reveal a significant decrease in overall crime for Fayetteville. The Fayetteville Police Department responded to over 43,000 calls for service, and total crime in the first quarter of 2025 is down by 21.12%.

However, the data also highlighted a stark and concerning trend: a dramatic surge in homicides. Compared to the first quarter of 2024, which saw just three homicide incidents, the first quarter of 2025 has recorded 14 homicide incidents, resulting in the deaths of 16 individuals. This represents a staggering 366% increase in homicides over the same period last year.

The presentation of these statistics comes shortly after Fayetteville Mayor Colvin issued a statement calling for a Special City Council Meeting to be held on May 5th. The purpose of this meeting is to address the escalating issue of gun violence within the city.

Mayor Colvin's call to action followed an incident on Saturday night near the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, a long-standing city event, where a vehicle was struck by gunfire. While no injuries were reported at the festival due to the swift response of on-site police, Mayor Colvin emphasized the urgency of the situation. "The recent spike in gun violence demands decisive action by Fayetteville’s Mayor and Council," he stated, referencing the Dogwood Festival incident and a previous carnival shooting where a 12-year-old was wounded, alongside other violent episodes.

In addition to the alarming rise in homicides, the first-quarter crime statistics also indicated a significant increase in overdose incidents, with a reported rise of 50%.

The contrasting trends of a decrease in overall crime alongside a substantial increase in homicides and overdoses present a complex challenge for Fayetteville. The upcoming Special City Council Meeting is anticipated to focus on strategies and plans to address the escalating gun violence that has become a pressing concern for city officials and residents.