Overall crime in Fayetteville fell in 2025, but the city saw a surge in juvenile offenses, according to the department’s 2025 year‑end report presented to the City Council on Monday.
Chief Roberto Bryan Jr., who took command of the Fayetteville Police Department (FPD) in July, told council members that overall crime dropped 7.2% last year—1,112 fewer incidents than in 2024. Violent crimes like aggravated assaults are down 13%.
But the number of people killed increased. Fayetteville recorded 37 homicides in 2025, up from 30 the year before. Rape reports fell slightly, from 60 victims to 53.
The department also reported an 89% homicide clearance rate, well above the national average of 58%, according to FBI data. A clearance rate reflects the percentage of cases that police consider solved through an offender being identified, or a person being charged or arrested.
Burglaries, motor vehicle thefts, and larceny are down between 9% and 12%.
One of the steepest declines came in domestic‑violence misdemeanors, which dropped 25%. Bryan attributed that decrease to more consistent victim follow‑up and stronger partnerships with the Phoenix Center. The center provides support services to people impacted by sexual and domestic violence.
“We attribute this significant decrease … to our officers making sure victims are getting the necessary services,” Bryan said. “We have a follow‑up that takes place to make sure they’re receiving any support and that they’re confident we will be there.”
Juvenile Crime Climbs
While most major categories trended downward, juvenile crime moved in the opposite direction.
Robberies committed by juveniles doubled, rising from 20 in 2024 to 40 last year. Juvenile drug arrests increased from 39 to 44, and juvenile assaults jumped 50%, from 238 to 359. Weapons charges involving juveniles fell, from 47 to 36.
Breaking and entering cases also declined overall, from 142 to 111.
The city’s new youth curfew, which took effect in July and bars anyone 16 or younger from being in public between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., resulted in eight criminal charges and 35 non‑enforcement interactions. Bryan emphasized that officers are not stopping people based on appearance alone.
“It doesn’t put our officers and the community in a good position when we’re just randomly approaching individuals that we think may be a juvenile,” he said.
Bryan said the department is trying to address youth crime through outreach, not just enforcement.
“We’ve gone to several community events where we’re discussing these issues with our youth,” he said. “We’re a huge partner with [Office of Community Safety] and other community organizations … to educate our youth and deter them from committing these crimes.”
The department also expanded its school resource officer (SRO) program. When Bryan became chief, FPD had 14 SROs; by January, that number had grown to 18.
Since the school year began in August, SROs have handled 602 calls for service and filed 184 incident reports.
Mayor Mitch Colvin told council that the increase in juvenile incident reports—from 1,111 in 2024 to 1,275 in 2025—is partly due to having more officers stationed in schools.
“You really can’t look at that at face value,” Colvin said. “You want to see a natural increase, because there were a number of those incidents that took place while at school.”
Police Staffing Improves
The police department ended 2025 with 47 vacant police officer positions. But Bryan said that number had dropped to 23 by the time of Monday’s meeting.
“We’re on track to fill all 23 of those positions by April,” he said, crediting recent pay raises and incentives approved by the city manager and council.
He added that some former officers have returned.
“We’re actually attracting officers that left, that are coming back to our department because they see what’s going on,” he said.
Government reporter Rachel Heimann Mercader can be reached at rheimann@cityviewnc.com or 910-988-8045.
Did you find this story useful or interesting? It was made possible by donations from readers like you to the News Foundation of Greater Fayetteville, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to an informed democracy in Fayetteville and Cumberland County.
Please consider making a tax-deductible donation so CityView can bring you more news and information like this.
