Charlotte, NC, February 12, 2026
Recent data shows that crime rates in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) are moving closer to pre-pandemic levels, with 8.79 incidents per 1,000 students reported in the 2024-25 school year. While overall crime has decreased, drug possession incidents have surged to a 10-year high, indicating a worrying trend in controlled substance offenses. This rise is notable amid a statewide crime reduction across North Carolina public schools, where the rate fell to 7.43 incidents per 1,000 students, although violent crimes saw a slight uptick.
Charlotte
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Crime Nears Pre-Pandemic Levels, Drug Possession Rises Amid Statewide Decline
Recent data indicates that crime numbers within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) are returning closer to pre-pandemic levels, even as incidents of drug possession have seen a notable increase. This local trend occurs against a backdrop of a third consecutive year of overall crime reduction across North Carolina public schools statewide.
The crime rate in CMS for the 2024-25 school year decreased to 8.79 incidents per 1,000 students, a notable drop from 10.07 incidents per 1,000 students in the previous academic year. This latest figure places the district’s crime rate back within the 8 to 9 incidents per 1,000 students range observed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, where the average between the 2014-15 and 2018-19 school years was 8.58. Following the pandemic, CMS, like many districts across the state, experienced a surge, with the rate climbing to nearly 11 incidents per 1,000 students in 2021-22 and remaining around 10 for the subsequent two years.
Increase in Drug Possession Incidents
Despite the overall downward trend in CMS crime, the possession of controlled substances has emerged as a significant and growing concern. The 2024-25 school year saw more than 900 incidents of drug possession reported within CMS, marking a 10-year high and representing the most incidents reported by any single school district last year. For comparison, the highest single-year figure for drug possession in CMS between 2014 and 2020 was 624 incidents. Possession of controlled substances now accounts for nearly three-quarters of all reported incidents across the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district.
This local rise mirrors a statewide trend, where possession of a controlled substance increased by 1.5% across North Carolina public schools from the last academic year. Statewide, drug possession offenses rose to 7,113 last year, an increase from 7,005 the year prior, and a 63.9% increase from the 4,339 offenses reported in the 2006-07 school year. Controlled substances constituted approximately 62% of all reportable offenses statewide in the 2024-25 academic year, being the most frequently reported offense by a significant margin in both middle and high schools.
Statewide Crime Decrease and Specifics
Across North Carolina, public schools have reported a decrease in crimes for the third consecutive year in the 2024-25 school year. The statewide crime rate fell by approximately 8% to 7.43 incidents per 1,000 students. The total number of reported crimes decreased by about 6.1% to 11,470 incidents. Despite this reduction, the statewide crime rate remains slightly higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Further details from the statewide report show that nearly 80% of North Carolina public schools experienced five or fewer reportable criminal offenses in the 2024-25 academic year, with 44% reporting zero incidents. Critically, over 99% of the state’s 1.5 million public school students were not involved in a reportable offense, with only 9,966 students accounting for all incidents.
While overall crime numbers are down statewide, certain categories saw varied trends. Incidents classified as violent crimes, encompassing nine specific categories, increased slightly from 250 to 302 incidents statewide in the 2024-25 school year. However, these violent incidents represent a small fraction, accounting for only 2.6% of all statewide incidents and occurring at a rate of 0.2 incidents per 1,000 students.
Positive Trends in Other Categories
In a positive development, incidents involving possession of a weapon statewide decreased by about 20%, and possession of a firearm incidents fell by 34% in the 2024-25 school year. Weapon possession offenses have reached their lowest levels since the 2006-07 school year.
Locally within CMS, assaults on school personnel saw a significant decrease of nearly 60%, dropping to 109 incidents in the 2024-25 school year. This is the lowest figure recorded in recent years, excluding the COVID-impacted periods. It’s important to note that assault on school personnel is not categorized as one of the nine violent crimes, as these incidents rarely lead to serious injury.
Additionally, short-term and long-term suspensions statewide also showed a decline in 2024-25 compared to the previous two academic years. The rate of short-term suspensions decreased by 10.6% from 2023-24, and the rate of long-term suspensions decreased by 8.4% from 2023-24.
FAQ
- What is the latest trend in crime numbers for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS)?
- Crime numbers within Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) are returning closer to pre-pandemic levels. The crime rate for the 2024-25 school year decreased to 8.79 incidents per 1,000 students, placing it back in the pre-pandemic range of 8 to 9 incidents per 1,000 students.
- Did drug possession increase in CMS schools?
- Yes, drug possession incidents in CMS schools have seen a notable increase. The 2024-25 school year recorded over 900 incidents of drug possession, marking a 10-year high for the district. Possession of controlled substances now accounts for nearly three-quarters of all reported incidents across CMS.
- What is the statewide trend for school crime in North Carolina?
- North Carolina public schools have experienced a decrease in crimes for the third consecutive year in the 2024-25 school year. The statewide crime rate fell by approximately 8% to 7.43 incidents per 1,000 students, and the total number of reported crimes decreased by about 6.1% to 11,470 incidents.
- Are violent crimes increasing in North Carolina schools?
- Incidents classified as violent crimes increased slightly from 250 to 302 incidents statewide in the 2024-25 school year. However, these violent incidents represent a small fraction, accounting for only 2.6% of all statewide incidents.
- What about weapon possession in North Carolina schools?
- Incidents involving possession of a weapon statewide decreased by about 20%, and possession of a firearm incidents fell by 34% in the 2024-25 school year. Weapon possession offenses have reached their lowest levels since the 2006-07 school year.
Key Crime Statistics in North Carolina Schools (2024-25 Academic Year)
| Category | Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) | North Carolina Statewide |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Crime Rate (per 1,000 students) | 8.79 (down from 10.07) | 7.43 (down by ~8%) |
| Drug Possession Incidents | >900 (10-year high, ~75% of all CMS incidents) | 7,113 (up from 7,005; ~62% of all statewide incidents) |
| Assaults on School Personnel | 109 (nearly 60% decrease) | N/A (not classified as violent crime due to low serious injury rate) |
| Weapon Possession Incidents | Drop from 29 (2021-22) to 6 (2022-23) | Decreased by ~20% (lowest since 2006-07) |
| Firearm Possession Incidents | N/A (included in weapon possession) | Decreased by 34% |
| Violent Crime Incidents (9 categories) | N/A | Increased from 250 to 302 (~2.6% of all incidents) |
| Schools with <= 5 Reportable Offenses | N/A | Nearly 80% |
| Students Involved in Reportable Offenses | N/A | ~0.66% of 1.5 million students |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
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