Northville Township Crime Rates Plunge

Crime in Northville Township fell a whopping 20% in 2024, indicating a safer community and a better quality of life for residents, businesses and the public at large.

The Northville Township Police Department tracks crime annually and 2024 had the lowest number of Part A and Part B crimes (739) in its history since it has collected data starting in 2012, when reporting changes transpired.

The drop is nearly 11% lower than the previous lowest number of Part A and Part B crimes (826) committed during 2020, when COVID restrictions resulted in Michiganders sheltering in place and little opportunity for crime. Conversely, the highest number was in 2017 with 1,508 Part A and Part B crimes.

Part A crime, which consists of felonies and high misdemeanors, like negligent homicide and resisting and obstructing arrest, dropped 15% in 2024 while Part B crime plunged 35%, making the average 20%. Part B crimes include general misdemeanors, like petty theft, and ordinance violations.

Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Scott Hilden is pleased with the numbers. Crime prevention is a top priority with the Police Department. He credits officers’ commitment to:

• Proactive patrols both day and night
• Educating the public through innovative programs like Partners in Your Safety, which empowers residents to be the eyes and ears of law enforcement, while learning about current scams and new crime trends
• New technology, including FLOCK automatic license plate reader cameras, which catch criminals, particularly car thieves
• Following law enforcement’s best practices outlined by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), which is considered the gold standard on excellent policing. Northville Township had an in-person assessment in February by a highly decorated longtime CALEA assessor as part of its reaccreditation. The reviewer said he has seen the best agencies in the country, and in his entire career, he said the Northville Township Police Department is in the top two to three he has ever reviewed.

“That feedback means a lot to us,” Chief Hilden said. “It shows our commitment to serving our community with professionalism, trust and respect. Our crime numbers demonstrate how effective that approach is. I give a lot of credit to our people here and their commitment to bringing down the crime rate while following CALEA’s high standards.”

Northville Township Police Department has 54 employees. The Northville Township Police Department will be the first occupant of the new Essential Services Complex at 40911 Seven Mile Road at Traditions Drive. It will move this month to a new high-tech Public Safety Headquarters.

“Reducing crime is paramount for any community,” said Northville Township Supervisor Mark J. Abbo. “Our Police Department is hands down one of the best in the nation and we are proud of all that the team does to keep Northville Township a great place to live, work and play.”