During tonight's Greensboro City Council meeting, City leadership and the Greensboro Police Department provided an update on the City's response to crime, and the work already underway to address violent crime.
The approach focuses on connecting resources already available across the City and deploying them where they can have the greatest impact. Chief Afzal emphasized using data and systems to help the Greensboro Police Department be more proactive. GPD is coordinating patrol, investigations, crime-gun intelligence and violent-offender resources, with particular attention to individuals, locations and circumstances associated with serious violence.
Police deployment and enforcement efforts will be guided by current data, intelligence and investigative information.
The Chief shared several data points showing both positive and concerning trends compared with the same period in 2025. Homicides have decreased from 29 last year to 19 this year, while the homicide clearance rate has improved from 71% to 83%. At the same time, aggravated shootings have increased from 62 shootings involving 70 victims during the same period last year to 78 shootings involving 98 victims this year. That increase has been particularly pronounced during the most recent 90 days, when Greensboro recorded 35 shootings involving 45 victims, compared to 23 shootings involving 27 victims during the comparable 90-day period last year. Given these trends, City leadership and the Greensboro Police Department outlined the strategy and specific actions underway to address violent crime.
Councilmember Irving Allen noted that although the data overall says that Greensboro is a safe place, “it is important that people feel safe.”
The most recent shooting on Sunday, August 30 occurred in Councilmember Adam Marshall’s district. “What I want to do is look at this holistically. I don’t want to have a knee jerk reaction, but we should take a look at the data, our current policies, and see if policy changes are warranted, and if so, what kind? Additionally, we should be having discussions around violent crime in our communities throughout Greensboro,” said Councilmember Marshall.
The City's response will also include prevention and intervention. Greensboro's Community Safety Department will continue working with individuals, families, neighborhoods and community partners where intervention, retaliation prevention, trauma response and longer-term support may help prevent further violence.
The Greensboro Police Department will also pursue opportunities to strengthen coordination with prosecutors and appropriate local, state and federal partners when additional jurisdiction, intelligence or resources can support the City's efforts.
Police Chief Kamran Afzal said the response will remain focused on both accountability and prevention.
"We have to identify the people and circumstances driving violence, investigate these cases thoroughly and hold offenders accountable," Afzal said. "But enforcement alone will not solve this. Preventing the next act of violence also requires families, schools, neighborhoods, businesses, faith leaders and community organizations working with us to intervene before conflicts escalate."
