News Flash

Data has been released from the Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Investigation – National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) 2022 Crime Data Explorer, and the city of Sterling Heights is once again noted as the safest big city (over 100,000 population) in Michigan. Sterling Heights was ranked safest among these communities in both total property crimes and violent crimes, as well as safest overall.

Sterling Heights recorded the lowest violent crime rate among all Michigan communities over 100,000 population at 254 total violent crimes for the year, which is 17% lower than Dearborn, 41% lower than Ann Arbor and 161% lower than Warren. Sterling Heights also recorded the lowest property crime rate among all Michigan communities over 100,000 population at 2,616 for the year, which is 18% lower than Dearborn, 22% lower than Ann Arbor and 50% lower than Warren.

Sterling Heights is already one of the safest cities in the nation among cities with populations over 100,000. These most recent FBI crime statistics show a continued trend of safety in Sterling Heights.

“Sterling Heights is a safe city, but that’s not just a label, it’s a way of life,” said Sterling Heights Mayor Michael C. Taylor. “We see it in the unwavering commitment of our community - from city officials to residents to our dedicated law enforcement officers. We will continue to prioritize the well-being and security of everyone in our city where safety and prosperity go hand in hand.”

The City’s most recent resident survey from 2021 revealed 97% of respondents said they feel safe in their neighborhood during the day and 86% are satisfied with the overall quality of police protection in Sterling Heights, which is 16% above the regional average and 23% higher than the national average. In addition, 75% are satisfied with the City’s efforts to prevent crime, and 74% are satisfied with the quality of their interaction with the Sterling Heights Police Department.

“I’m so proud of every single Sterling heights Police Officer that has dedicated their career, passion and expertise to help ensure Sterling Heights continues to be an incredibly safe city to raise a family or own a business,” said Sterling Heights Police Chief Dale Dwojakowski. “And the work we’ve done through our directed patrol units and community services bureau is helping keep us the safest big city in the state by engaging residents to collaborate with us and sending the message that we don’t tolerate crime in our community. We’re all working together to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.”

Over the past few years, several factors have helped control crime in Sterling Heights:

• Funding was approved by City Council in 2021 that allowed for the addition of seven new officers who are dedicated to proactively targeting crime through the City and are engaged in additional community policing efforts through a community services bureau and directed neighborhood patrols. New community service bureau projects including a video web series, a podcast and a bridge-building program for foster children has expanded the way residents and businesses are engaging with the department.
• Sterling Heights Police Department has led the way as a pioneer in innovative substance abuse programs like the Comeback Quick Response Team and the new Re-Direct drug diversion programs. These model programs have been immensely successful in targeting the root cause of most crime – substance abuse – and getting addicts into treatment rather than repeating the cycle of incarceration, relapse and additional crime. Many other departments across the state have sought the leadership of SHPD in implementing the same programs in their own organizations.
• Sterling Heights Police Department became a fully accredited police agency from the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (MLEAC). The MLEAC accreditation is a voluntary statewide law enforcement accreditation program formed through a partnership between The Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association. The accreditation is a significant professional achievement acknowledging the agency has met 108 different national standards for operational effectiveness.
• Sterling Heights Police Department was the first department in Macomb County, Mich. to launch a “transparency dashboard” accessible under the police department section of the City’s website. The dashboard allows the public to quickly and conveniently view up-to-date information regarding the department’s interaction with the community on items like calls for service, citations issued, arrests made, use of force or complaints. In addition, a digital crime map offers the public information about police activity in the city in the past 72 hours.
• Sterling Heights Police Department was one of the first departments in the area to hire a full-time social worker who has been instrumental in connecting residents in need to a variety of resources that can reduce the stress placed upon them. A second social work position is planned to be added this year.

NIBRS 2022 Crime Data Explorer is a statistical compilation of offense, arrest, and police employee data reported by law enforcement agencies voluntarily participating in the FBI’s crime reporting program. The FBI collects information on crimes reported by law enforcement agencies regarding violent crimes and property crimes. Data and Sterling Heights’ ranking compared to similar sized cities in Michigan come from the Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation Crime Data Explorer NIBRS 2022 Crime Table and appear below.

2022 VIOLENT CRIMES

2022 PROPERTY CRIMES