GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — In June, the Grand Rapids Police Department saw the lowest amount of stolen car reports since 2019.
"We've had the least amount of auto thefts for the foreseeable past, for at least five years or so," said Chief Eric Winstrom.
Chief Winstrom said GRPD is also seeing a month of no homicides.
"One of the positive trends that we've seen is a decrease in gun violence, and highlighted by the fact that we have had only seven murders this year," said Winstrom. "That's the lowest we've had in several years. We haven't had a murder in July this year."
Chief Winstrom told 13 ON YOUR SIDE that in 2022 investigators saw over 470 auto thefts from June to July. Many of those thefts were related to the "Kia Boys" trend.
"It was a trend amongst our young people to go out and steal cars, really for fun," said Chief Winstrom.
Last month, only 47 car thefts had been reported to the department.
Chief Winstrom added that it wasn't just GRPD that helped trend the numbers down, but the prosecutor's office and social programs.
"There's other programs out there, and they're geared to not only steering them away from further crime, but also making sure that they're getting the support they need, as far as social work, as far as academic support to set them on the path, to know that you're going down a dangerous path," said Chief Winstrom.
The zero homicides in July followed a two month span where two 15-year-olds were killed in Grand Rapids.
While the chief said it's not a celebration, it's a sign that trends in Grand Rapids could be moving in a more positive direction.
"I wouldn't say it's reassuring that that the crime numbers are coming down," said Chief Winstrom. "I'd say it's a good sign. It makes me positive and optimistic, but I know we have a lot more work to do, and we're going to keep going. We're going to keep going full speed ahead."