ANNISTON, Ala.– A new report from the Anniston Police Department shows overall crime in the city dropped significantly in 2025.

According to the department’s annual report, major crimes — including violent and property offenses — fell nearly fifteen percent compared to 2024.

Violent crime dropped fifteen and a half percent, while property crime declined just under fifteen percent.

Several categories saw notable improvements.
Homicides dropped from four cases in 2024 to two last year, and aggravated assaults fell from 347 cases to 261.

However, not every category moved in the same direction.

Robberies more than doubled, rising from 21 cases in 2024 to 44 in 2025.
Sexual assault reports also increased, climbing from 15 to 20 cases.

The report comes as the department enters a leadership transition following the retirement of longtime Police Chief Nick Bowles, who served 25 years with the department and had been chief since 2020.

New Chief William Parris says the department plans to continue building on the foundation established during Bowles’ tenure while working closely with the community to keep the city safe.

Police handled more than 54-thousand incidents in 2025, including nearly 13-thousand traffic stops.

The Anniston Police Department currently has 84 sworn officers and is two officers short of full staffing.

Officials say those positions are expected to be filled within the next month.