Holly Springs Police Department Releases 2024 Annual Report, Presents at Town Council Meeting (Part 1)
Report reaffirms Holly Springs’ reputation as one of the safest communities in the region, with crime rates remaining significantly lower than the Wake County average.
This story is part one of a two-part series providing Holly Springs residents with an overview of the 2024 Annual Report presented at the Town Council Business Meeting on February 18, 2025. Part one of the series focuses on Crime Trends and Public Safety Efforts, Arrest Trends and Traffic Enforcement, and Accountability and Use of Force Policies.
Note: Part two of the series will be published on February 20th.
Holly Springs, NC, Feb. 19, 2025 — The Holly Springs Police Department recently presented its 2024 Annual Report to the Town Council, providing an overview of crime statistics, law enforcement actions, and ongoing initiatives to enhance public safety. The report reaffirmed Holly Springs’ reputation as one of the safest communities in the region, with crime rates remaining significantly lower than the Wake County average.
In 2023, Holly Springs' violent crime rate was 33 times lower, and its property crime rate was over 16 times lower than Wake County. This trend continued into 2024, with no homicides reported, reflecting the town’s longstanding record of low violent crime. Reports of sex offenses dropped by 42%, with the majority of cases involving individuals who had a prior relationship.
Crime Trends and Public Safety Efforts
Property crime saw notable improvements. Burglaries declined by 35%, primarily due to a regional law enforcement effort that led to the arrest of a serial burglar targeting small businesses. Similarly, larceny offenses fell by 38% as the department increased high-visibility patrols, leveraged data-driven deterrent efforts, and strengthened collaborations with local retailers.
However, not all crime categories showed improvement. Robberies increased from two in 2023 to five in 2024, with two cases involving shoplifting that escalated into a robbery when suspects used force to evade store employees. The remaining incidents stemmed from a workplace dispute, a domestic violence situation, and a delayed report involving juveniles.
Another concern was motor vehicle theft, which more than doubled from 11 cases in 2023 to 24 in 2024. This rise was attributed to two distinct trends: an organized crime group targeting high-performance Dodge vehicles for resale and a security flaw in Kia and Hyundai models that allowed juveniles to steal cars using widely shared online techniques. Additionally, four arson cases were reported, two of which involved juveniles setting fires in town parks. At the same time, the other two were linked to a domestic violence suspect who was later taken into custody.
Despite these isolated increases, Holly Springs remains one of the safest communities in the region. The police department emphasized that regional collaboration and intelligence-sharing remain critical priorities, particularly in combating auto theft and organized crime.
Arrest Trends and Traffic Enforcement
The 2024 Annual Report also detailed arrest trends and enforcement actions. Overall, arrests remained consistent with previous years, with the majority stemming from mandatory legal requirements and serious offenses such as driving while impaired, drug violations, larceny, assault, and outstanding warrants. In cases of domestic violence, officers were required by state law to arrest if a primary aggressor was identified, leaving little discretion. Similarly, officers were obligated to take individuals into custody when they had an active warrant.
Traffic enforcement played a crucial role in maintaining public safety, with nearly 6,000 traffic stops conducted in 2024. Of these stops, 70% resulted in warnings, 28% in citations, and only 2% in arrests, primarily due to outstanding warrants or serious infractions. A key takeaway from the report was that 45.6% of those arrested were not residents of Holly Springs, indicating that some crimes—particularly auto theft—were committed by individuals traveling from outside the community.
Accountability and Use of Force Policies
The department also underscored its commitment to transparency and accountability in use-of-force policies. In 97.1% of all arrests, no force was used, with only 2.9% of cases involving any level of force, mostly minor resistance during handcuffing. The department reported one firearm discharge in 2024, occurring when a suspect pointed a weapon at officers in a Target parking lot. The incident was thoroughly reviewed, reinforcing the department’s commitment to oversight and responsible policing.
To further enhance accountability, the department introduced a Professional Standards Captain to oversee random audits of body-worn camera footage and review all reported use-of-force incidents. This additional layer of supervision ensures officers adhere to department policies and maintain high professional standards.
Looking ahead, Crisis Intervention Training remains a top priority for the department, with a goal of 100% officer certification. This training equips officers with de-escalation techniques to handle situations involving mental health crises, reducing the need for force in high-tension encounters.
Through proactive policing, enhanced training, and increased oversight, the Holly Springs Police Department continues to uphold its commitment to public safety and community trust, ensuring that the town remains one of the safest places to live in North Carolina.
Part two of the series will be published on February 20th.