Summerville, S.C. — After a record-setting year for homicides in 2024, Summerville is experiencing a positive shift in crime trends, with zero homicides reported in 2025 so far. According to Deputy Chief Chris Hirsch, the police department is proud of this accomplishment, marking a significant improvement in public safety.
A Positive Trend in 2025
“So far in 2025, we’re proud to say that we have had zero homicides,” said Hirsch. “It’s a great trend, and this is what we love seeing.” The department attributes this reduction in violent crime to increased staffing and proactive policing efforts.
Increased Police Presence and Proactive Efforts
For the past eight months, the Summerville Police Department has been fully staffed, which has allowed officers to focus on reducing violent crime. With a larger police presence on the streets, the department has been able to engage more directly with the community, helping to prevent crime before it occurs.
Hirsch explained, “With the increase of officers and our presence out in the streets, I think, has really helped us prevent or decrease in these violent crimes.”
Community Engagement Plays a Key Role
In addition to traditional patrols, Summerville police have been active in building relationships with local residents through outreach programs like Coffee with a Cop. These informal gatherings allow officers to connect with the community, fostering trust and encouraging residents to share any concerns or information that could help in preventing crime.
“We try to get to know our community members. And part of solving crimes and knowing what’s going on in the community is talking with community members,” Hirsch said. “We have a great relationship with a lot of our community members.”
Summerville police also meet monthly with local residents through the Dignity Project, an initiative that fosters open communication between the police and the community.
“We really like the Dignity Project. They do a lot for us. They do a lot for our community,” Hirsch added.
Importance of Community Involvement
As crime trends improve, Hirsch emphasized that community involvement continues to be a crucial element of prevention. The department encourages residents to report any suspicious activity and assures them that they are always available to help.
“We’re here, so call us, you’re never bothering us. So if you see something that you think is suspicious or weird, don’t keep that to yourself,” Hirsch said. “Let us go out, let us talk to people, let us investigate and let us determine.”
Looking Ahead
Summerville police are expected to share more details about local crime trends at the Summerville Town Council meeting on Monday night, which begins at 5:30 p.m. This will provide further insights into how the department plans to maintain this positive trend and continue collaborating with the community.
