CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – For the fifth year in a row, crime has declined in Clarksville, according to the statewide Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Crime In Tennessee report.
While Clarksville’s population has continued to skyrocket, now at 174,738, both the crime rate and the actual number of major crimes have decreased.
According to the 2022 report, released this month, crime rate dropped to 69.7 major crime reports per 1,000 residents, down from 77.7 in 2021. That marks a major reduction since our highest crime rate, which was 121 per 1,000 residents in 2007. That means Clarksville’s crime rate has dropped 42% from where it was 16 years ago.
“As a four-time Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) accredited agency, we strive to work together, holding ourselves accountable and holding ourselves to a higher standard,” Police Chief David Crockarell said in a statement to Clarksville Now.
“The professionalism of each and every officer is exemplified in the way they treat everyone with dignity and respect regardless of status or stature. Officers live by the adopted mantra of Be Kind, Be Fair, and Be Lawful. They show up every day and stand up for what is right and make a difference.”
Crime rate declines
Clarksville’s major crime rate has, for the most part, remained below 100 incidents per 1,000 population since 2010. Major crimes are categorized by TBI as Group A offenses, consisting of crimes such as murder, burglary and drug charges.
Major crimes (Group A offenses) per 1,000 in Clarksville:
- 2022: 69.7
- 2021: 77.7
- 2020: 83.48
- 2019: 91.66
- 2018: 102.5
And the local crime rate used to be far worse. From 2002 (the first year of data available) to 2009, the rate stayed above 100 per 1,000 residents, reaching a high of 121 in 2007.
Crime numbers down
It’s not just the crime rate: The actual number of crimes is down as well.
In aggravated assaults, we had 795 in 2020, dropping to 739 in 2021, and then to 704 in 2022.
Aggravated assaults, number:
- 2022: 704
- 2021: 739
- 2020: 795
- 2019: 695
- 2018: 831
While Clarksville had 15 murders each year in 2020 and 2021, there were 10 in 2022.
In total Group A offenses (murders, assaults, theft, drug charges), we had a high of 15,936 in 2017. It has steadily declined to 12,769 in 2021, then to 12,145 in 2022.
Total Group A offenses, total:
- 2022: 12,145
- 2021: 12,769
- 2020: 13,455
- 2019: 14,665
- 2018: 15,703
Compared to other cities
Clarksville continues to have lowest crime rate in Tennessee compared to the state’s other largest cities, though crime rates can be affected by population density and other factors.
Major crimes (Group A offenses) per 1,000 in cities over 100,000 population, 2022:
- Nashville (pop. 679,562): 103.54
- Memphis (pop. 624,944): 184.27
- Knoxville (pop. 194,724): 100.89
- Chattanooga (pop. 182,603): 125.35
- Clarksville (pop. 174,738): 69.7
- Murfreesboro (pop. 161,810): 79.58
“Despite manpower shortages, CPD personnel and leadership continue to do well with less, and I am proud of these results as I am proud of the employees from CPD. We endeavor to hire the right people, those who will make a positive impact on this community. Every employee here at CPD is professional, and caring, and works hard for the citizens of Clarksville and Montgomery County so they can feel safe and secure,” Crockarell said.
Vehicle burglaries, theft
The reported numbers are good, but they could be better, Crockarell said, and CPD will continue to seek the assistance of the public in preventing crime, particularly in securing vehicles and firearms.
In 2022, Clarksville Police responded to over 660 vehicle burglaries and 466 stolen vehicles.
Those numbers have been as high as 911 vehicle burglaries and 485 vehicle thefts in 2019.
“Included in these reported incidents were 135 firearms left unsecured, inside these vehicles. These weapons are now in the hands of criminals. This should be a concern for every lawful citizen in Clarksville and Montgomery County. Criminals are actively seeking unlocked vehicles to see what they might be able to steal including the vehicle and firearms, advancing their criminal behavior,” said CPD spokesman Scott Beaubien.
The common denominator in a majority of these reports is that the vehicles were left unlocked and the keys or key fob was left inside the vehicle and in some instances, the vehicle was left running and unoccupied. Many of these thefts are coming from juveniles “car hopping,” checking for unlocked vehicles throughout Clarksville’s subdivisions.
Police encourage residents to lock vehicles, secure firearms and other valuables, take the keys/fob with you, and never leave your vehicle running and unattended.