Dayton saw a big increase in violent crime last year. But other types of crime declined.

In today’s Morning Briefing, we look at last year’s crime statistics and tell you how the city and police plan to take action. We also examine why lawmakers are struggling to find a way to fix Ohio’s property tax issues.

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The newsletter should take about 4 minutes, 2 seconds to read.

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Violent crime rose last year in Dayton; here’s how city, police plan to respond

Dayton last year saw a sharp increase in homicides, robberies, violent crimes involving firearms, and kidnappings and abductions

• Some numbers:

— Dayton police recorded 44 killings and cases of non-negligent manslaughter last year, which was a 47% increase from 2023, and the most killings since 2020.

— The department last year also investigated 155 robberies, which was 29 more than the prior year (+23%).

— Aggravated robberies increased 29%, to 201 incidents, and aggravated assaults rose 6%, to 582 incidents.

• The victims: The homicide victims included a 12-year-old girl who was killed while asleep in her bed, a mom who was fatally shot in the backseat of her car next to her young daughter and two people who died after being wounded during a drive-by shooting.

• What police are saying: “While it’s too early to determine if this is a long-term trend or a short-term fluctuation, we are actively monitoring and analyzing data to better understand the situation and adjust strategies accordingly,” Dayton police Chief Kamran Afzal said. “Any increase in firearm-related crime is always a concern because of the potential for serious injury or loss life.”

• Improving public safety: Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims Jr. said the city is working to develop a new violence interruption program that hopefully will improve public safety partly by changing attitudes and behaviors about using violence to respond to conflict.

• Overall crime decline: Crime overall declined in the city last year. The police department recorded about 18,840 criminal incidents, an 8% decrease from 2023. Shootings into habitations plunged 35%, breaking and entering declined 20%, residential burglaries fell 7% and forcible rapes dropped 9%.

Lawmakers: Property tax report lacking

Several state lawmakers who worked on the committee to address property tax reform last year are expressing dismay that the final product didn’t include a concrete plan to give taxpayers much-needed relief.

• The committee: After property value hikes hit taxpayers in 2023, the state legislature convened a special Joint Committee on Property Tax Review and Reform.

• What they did: The committee met eight times last year, received in-person and written testimony from 60 people and on the New Year’s Eve deadline delivered an 865-page report.

• Contradictions: The report notes: “Given the complexities of the property tax system, these recommendations should not be considered as a comprehensive package. Some proposals may contradict others.”

• Disagreements: Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Blessing, a committee member, spelling out why the committee didn’t come to a consensus: “In short, the disagreements are over who pays and who benefits.”

What to know today

• One big takeaway: The Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce has finalized its biannual legislative and regulatory agenda. Here are some of the top findings.

• Tip of the day: These tips can help you avoid being scammed while buying or selling items on Facebook Marketplace.

• Person to know today: Sara Crossman. She started working at the Springfield Burger King on East Main Street 23 years ago at 16 years old. Today, she’s the general manager and was selected as the chain’s first “Restaurant Manager of the Year.”

• Dayton eats: Cookies from Davis Cookie Collection in Cincinnati will soon be available at Mz. Jade’s Soul Food inside West Social Tap & Table.

• Stat of the day: The low temperature on Feb. 13, 1899, was minus-28 degrees, which remains a record for any day in Dayton since temperatures were recorded in 1893. Here are the 10 coldest days in Dayton history.

• Things to do: 10 things to do in Dayton this weekend.

• Dayton History: The Wyckoff House in the Dayton View Historic District was considered upscale when it was built, mainly because it had electricity.

• Photo of the day: The Cincinnati Reds Caravan kicked off at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Players and officials participated in Q&A and autograph sessions at the event. See our gallery from Tom Gilliam here.