RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Richmond Police Department shared its latest annual statistics at a crime briefing on Thursday, Jan. 16. Violent crime data Chief Rick Edwards led the discussion by reporting an overall decrease in violent crime of 5% -- in 2023 there were 1,023 incidents, and in 2024 there were 967. Additionally, there was an 18% decrease in murders -- 65 incidents in 2023 to 53 incidents in 2024 -- and a 19% decrease in rape -- 65 incidents in 2023 to 53 incidents in 2024. Other data in the category of violent crime included: Commercial robberies decreased 20% from 71 incidents in 2023 to 57 incidents in 2024 Robberies of an individual decreased 4% from 224 incidents in 2023 to 216 incidents in 2024 Aggravated assault decreased 2% from 599 incidents in 2023 and 589 in 2024 (Courtesy of the Richmond Police Department) According to Edwards, non-fatal shootings increased by 5% -- with 200 incidents in 2024 up from 190 incidents in 2023. Accidental shootings also increased from 25 incidents in 2023 to 28 incidents in 2024. Eight of the victims in 2023 were juveniles -- one of whom was a 3-year-old. Five juveniles were victims in 2024 with two of them being 4-year-olds. Operation Safe Summer Edwards also put this data in the context of Operation Safe Summer, an annual initiative that, according to officials, is intended to “suppress violent crime and increase public safety throughout Richmond.” The operation usually begins in June but this year started in April. According to Edwards, Operation Safe Summer has reduced violent crime, with 407 incidents in Summer 2024 being the lowest amount in the last six years -- with an 18% decrease from Summer 2018 when there were 496 incidents. (Courtesy of the Richmond Police Department) Traffic statistics There were 17 traffic fatalities in the City of Richmond in 2024, down from 25 deaths in 2023, according to Edwards. He also provided an update on speed cameras -- following the push to install more near certain schools -- with a total of 26,739 citations mailed at 11 locations. (Courtesy of the Richmond Police Department) Property crime While overall property crime decreased by 2% -- with 9,301 incidents in 2024 and 9,537 incidents in 2023 -- there was a 26% increase in commercial burglary incidents, according to Edwards. Motor vehicle thefts decreased by 6%, with 1,469 incidents in 2024 down from 1,571 in 2023. Edwards also said there was a 10% decrease in thefts from motor vehicles -- down from 2,706 in 2023 to 2,429 in 2024. Of those incidents, firearm thefts from vehicles were also down 16% from 643 incidents in 2023 to 540 incidents in 2024. Edwards claimed this decrease was likely the result of officers focusing on hotspots like "Shockoe Area." (Courtesy of the Richmond Police Department) Overall major crime reportedly decreased by 3% -- with 10,268 incidents in 2024 down from 10,560 in 2023. At the briefing, Edwards talked about having police be more present in communities when crime is not happening. "I want our community to see us, to see how our officers interact with us when there's not crime scene tape up so they can get to know us as human beings, which we are," Edwards said. "Sometimes people look at this uniform and they think of us as robots or, you know, you know, rebel cops. And we're not we're just mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters. We're human beings and members of the community like anyone else." This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.