The North Charleston Police Department has released its 2025 mid-year crime report, showing both positive and concerning trends. While overall violent crime has gone down in the first half of the year, the number of arrests for driving under the influence (DUI) has gone up sharply—by almost 50%.
Violent Crime Drops Across Several Categories
Between June 2024 and June 2025, the police department recorded a 13% drop in the violent crime index, marking an encouraging sign of progress. Here are some of the key improvements seen in crime rates:
Homicides decreased by 33%
Aggravated assaults went down by 12%
Robberies dropped by 18%
Business burglaries decreased by a significant 80%
Personal robberies fell by 3%
Stolen vehicles were down by 34%
Larcenies reduced by 10%
Gun arrests dropped by 36%
Narcotics arrests declined by 27%
While these numbers show that crime prevention and enforcement are working in many areas, not all trends are moving in a positive direction.
DUI Arrests on the Rise
The report highlighted a 48% increase in DUI arrests, raising concerns about road safety. Captain Andrew Glover of the Special Enforcement Bureau says this spike is not only due to more people driving under the influence but also because of increased police staffing and more focused enforcement.
In May 2024, the department had 15 vacant officer positions, forcing the team to pull officers from special units like traffic and K-9 to keep up with regular patrols. By May 2025, the number of vacancies had been reduced to just four. This improvement allowed the department to place 11 more officers on traffic duty, helping them actively patrol roads and catch more drunk drivers.
“When you’re low manned, every officer is just answering calls,” Glover explained. “But when you have more officers, they can actually go out and focus on specific crimes—some focus on narcotics, others on DUIs.”
More DUI Enforcement Planned Near Schools
As the school year approaches, Captain Glover shared that the department is preparing to increase DUI enforcement around school zones. Selective enforcement will be carried out during night shifts, especially in areas where students are likely to be present.
Officers will stay in these areas to monitor for unsafe driving behavior, while separate traffic units will respond to collisions, freeing up more officers to focus on spotting and stopping DUI cases.
Public Safety Message: Use Rideshare Instead of Risking Lives
Glover urged drivers to make smart choices if they have been drinking. “Call a friend, a family member, or just use a rideshare service like Uber,” he said.
He pointed out the cost difference between a safe ride home and the consequences of a DUI. “Spend $80 for a ride, or $10,000 if you get caught—or worse, hurt or kill someone,” he said. “We’ve already seen that happen a few times this year.”
North Charleston is seeing clear progress in fighting violent crime, with double-digit decreases in several key areas. But the rise in DUI arrests is a strong reminder that road safety remains a serious concern. Thanks to increased staffing, officers now have more time to take proactive steps—especially to catch dangerous drivers before they cause harm. With the school season beginning, the department is focused on protecting both students and the community. The public is encouraged to make responsible choices to avoid tragic outcomes.
