St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway delivered an encouraging quarterly crime report to city council members during a meeting held recently. This quarterly update focused on crime statistics for the city and highlighted notable trends and areas of concern.
During the third quarter, which spanned from July 1 to September 30, criminal offenses experienced a commendable decline of 4.8%. Holloway proudly pointed out that crime rates have dropped by a substantial 7.1% over the past five years, showing a positive trajectory for community safety.
However, the report revealed a concerning rise in homicides, soaring by 30% compared to the previous year, increasing from 10 to 13 reported cases. Holloway took note of the fact that the suspects in the two most recent murder cases employed knives. It is important to mention that his storm-delayed presentation did not encompass statistics from October and the first week of November.
As St. Petersburg continues to grapple with its crime statistics, it is evident that the city is on track to surpass the homicides recorded in both 2022 (16) and 2020 (15) years. The alarming spike in homicides is reminiscent of 2021, when the city experienced a significant number of 33 murders in the wake of the pandemic’s impact.
“I can tell you right now, our detective division is doing an outstanding job,” Holloway stated confidently at the Nov. 7 meeting. “They have successfully closed out every homicide case, as of this quarter, with an arrest.” His comments underscore the diligent efforts of law enforcement in pursuing justice in these serious offenses.
Additionally, Holloway extended his appreciation to the Gun Response Investigation Team (G.R.I.T.), which has been instrumental in enhancing public safety. The team established an impressive 61 new leads in the third quarter of 2023, a significant improvement compared to just 12 leads generated in the same period of the previous year.
Throughout the July to September timeframe, criminals pilfered 52 firearms, with a disturbing 25 of those guns taken from often unlocked vehicles. The remaining 27 were seized from various buildings. “On a positive note, for this quarter, we had 47 guns turned into us,” Holloway stated, reflecting on the community’s willingness to participate in public safety efforts.
He added that officers successfully recovered 21 firearms, culminating in a collective total of 68 guns removed from circulation. “So, that’s a total of 68 guns we took off the street,” Holloway pointed out, emphasizing the ongoing battle against gun theft and its ramifications on community safety.
Gun theft continues to pose a persistent challenge in St. Petersburg. However, Councilmember Richie Floyd noted that these alarming numbers have seemingly trended downward recently.
Holloway concurred that the figure of 52 stolen guns remained “still too many,” but he acknowledged recent statistics that indicate a positive downward trend. “There were 25 guns taken out of cars this past quarter,” he elaborated. “Remember, we used to be up in the 50s. We just have to keep telling the message—please remember to take your guns out of your car.”
In the third quarter of 2023, St. Petersburg recorded 65 robberies, 278 burglaries, 427 thefts from motor vehicles, and 267 stolen automobiles. Remarkably, those numbers decreased substantially in 2024 to 46, 234, 402, and 174, respectively, suggesting effective crime prevention measures are being implemented.
Councilmember Gina Driscoll noted the homeless population downtown has seemingly increased, raising questions about community welfare and support.
Holloway emphasized the need for modifications to the city’s 2nd Chance Program due to storm impacts. This juvenile diversion initiative offers young offenders alternatives to court by allowing them to exchange an arrest record for eight hours of community service.
All 13 eligible juvenile offenders enrolled in and successfully completed the program in 2023. “What we’re seeing is, our kids are starting to fall behind,” Holloway expressed concern, highlighting a need for timely interventions.
He explained that the city’s Parks and Recreation department typically enrolls participants in the program shortly after a crime is committed, which is critical for effective rehabilitation. Holloway commended Mike Jefferis, community enrichment administrator, and his team for executing this initiative effectively.
“But with everything going on, you see where nine kids have not been able to go to this program, and they’re waiting in a queue,” Holloway remarked, addressing the challenges faced by the program. “So, we’ve done a workaround now …”
The department’s Community Assistance and Life Liaison (CALL) program, conducted in collaboration with Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, will temporarily oversee the 2nd Chance initiative to ensure continued support.
Additionally, they made 902 community contacts in the third quarter and were pleased to report no injuries or violent incidents. “We’re having professionals help people out with their problems—and not having a badge or a gun at that scene,” Holloway noted, reflecting a compassionate approach to community policing.
The department’s Police Assisting the Homeless (PATH) unit engaged in 585 contacts and delivered 421 referrals to local nonprofits in an effort to support vulnerable individuals in the community. Despite the notable year-over-year increase in contacts, Councilmember Gina Driscoll has received numerous complaints regarding homeless individuals sleeping in city parks and along the bustling downtown waterfront.
“We’re seeing large amounts of personal items,” she reiterated. “It seems like it gets better, and then it gets worse again, creating challenges for both the homeless population and residents.”
“These are folks who need to be helped—or issues that need to be addressed,” she added empathetically. Driscoll noted that the problem appears intensified during night hours. While she credited the PATH and CALL programs for their efforts, she raised concerns about the disparity between her observations and officer actions on the ground. She offered to meet with Holloway privately to discuss solutions and assist his team in navigating these challenges. Municipalities now face potential lawsuits for enabling individuals to sleep in public places, which adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing conversation.
**Interview with St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway on Quarterly Crime Report**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Chief Holloway. Let’s dive right in. You recently presented a crime report to the city council that shows an overall decline in criminal offenses. Can you elaborate on what this means for the community’s safety?
**Chief Holloway:** Thank you for having me. I’m proud to report that from July 1 to September 30, we saw a commendable decline of 4.8% in criminal offenses. Over the past five years, crime rates have dropped by 7.1%. This positive trend reflects the hard work of our officers and their commitment to community safety.
**Interviewer:** However, the report also highlights an increase in homicides. Can you discuss this concerning trend and its implications?
**Chief Holloway:** Yes, sadly, we’ve seen a 30% rise in homicides, increasing from 10 to 13 cases compared to last year. While we’ve made significant strides in many areas, this spike is alarming and reminds us of the challenges we still face. Notably, two recent cases involved suspects using knives, which is unusual for our city.
**Interviewer:** In light of these challenges, how is your department addressing the rise in homicides and gun-related incidents?
**Chief Holloway:** Our Detective Division is doing outstanding work; they’ve successfully closed every homicide case this quarter with an arrest. Additionally, our Gun Response Investigation Team (G.R.I.T.) has established 61 new leads this quarter, significantly up from just 12 last year. We’re actively working to remove firearms from circulation, having seized 68 guns recently.
**Interviewer:** Gun thefts remain a persistent problem. What steps can residents take to help mitigate this issue?
**Chief Holloway:** It’s crucial for residents to secure their firearms. This quarter, 25 guns were taken from unlocked cars. We’re working hard to raise awareness, urging our community to take their guns out of their vehicles. We’ve seen an improvement, but 52 stolen guns are still too many.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned a juvenile diversion program called the 2nd Chance Program. Can you explain its significance?
**Chief Holloway:** Absolutely. This program allows young offenders to exchange an arrest record for eight hours of community service. In 2023, all 13 eligible youth completed the program successfully. It’s vital for timely interventions to keep our kids from falling behind, especially now as we face growing demands and waitlists.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like there are challenges with program enrollment. What changes are being made to adapt to these challenges?
**Chief Holloway:** Yes, due to recent storm impacts, we need to modify how we operate. We’ve had kids waiting to enroll, which isn’t ideal for their progress. We’re looking at ways to streamline the process to ensure they get the support they need quickly.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Chief Holloway. Your dedication to community safety and the proactive measures being taken are commendable. Is there anything else you would like to add?
**Chief Holloway:** Just a thank you to the residents for their support and participation in community safety efforts. Together, we can continue to make St. Petersburg a safer place for everyone.