Violence and Fires in Savannah: A Mixed Picture for 2025

Savannah’s latest safety report shows that crime is a little higher this year, but some types of incidents have gone down. The police say overall violent crime rose by 3%, mainly because homicides went up to 28 and domestic fights without guns increased. Still, the department cleared 89% of homicides, which is a positive sign. The number of people shot but not killed fell by 25%. Fewer shootings and burglaries happened, with car thefts dropping 22% from the previous year. The city also saw a sharp decline in guns taken from unlocked cars, down to 130 thefts. Police chief Lenny Gunther urged residents to lock their vehicles and keep weapons secure, especially after a city ordinance about gun storage was overturned by a judge. To help stop crime early, the police plan to add 70 new high‑definition cameras. These will join the existing ten and are funded by a $1 million grant from SCAD. The cameras aim to catch trouble before it escalates.The fire department’s story is different. Chief Derik Minard reports that four people died in fires last year, two during an ice storm and two later in November. The department answered 13, 679 calls, with 788 being fire‑related. Downtown Savannah had the most requests, likely because of older buildings and higher population density. Fire response times are a concern. Most units arrive within 3 minutes, but overall times are slower than the national average of four minutes. The department is looking for ways to improve speed and reduce fatalities. The city’s public safety officials shared these numbers at a council workshop, highlighting both progress and challenges. Residents can help by securing their homes and vehicles while the city works on technology and training to keep everyone safer.