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Last week, St Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office presented its 2024 crime statistics to the Parish Council and the public. While robberies increased violent crime, shootings decreased. 

Authorities in St. Charles Parish promised to continue addressing crime and making the parish safer for everyone. Sheriff Greg Champagne noted that while crime increased slightly in 2024, it remains the second-best year for crime reduction at the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office in 28 years.

Notably, there was a significant drop in homicides, with only one reported last year. Sheriff Greg said ongoing vigilance and collaboration with citizens were vital for public safety.

“Thank you to the dedicated men and women of the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office who have contributed to this remarkable success. Let us continue working together toward a safer community for everyone,” Sheriff Greg said in a press release.

Here’s a breakdown of what was presented by the numbers:

17 robberies: Robberies up compared to 2023, but still low compared to a decade ago

In 2024, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office saw a 54 percent spike in robberies. The number increased significantly last year, with 17 incidents compared to 11 in 2023. Robberies in St. Charles Parish have fluctuated over the past decade, peaking at 37 in 2017. 

84 burglaries: On a free fall

There were 84 burglaries in St Charles Parish last year, compared to 78 in 2023. That’s a 7.69 percent jump. However, looking back further, St Charles Parish has seen a significant drop in burglaries over the past decade. In 2014, there were 210 burglaries.

The records released to the press by St Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office have indicated a significant decline in burglaries year-over-year. 

66 cars stolen: Car thefts are a major issue

Car thefts rose significantly by 22.2 percent compared to 2023, yet the figures show that the surge in car thefts has targeted Kia and Hyundai vehicles.

There were 66 auto thefts last year. Between 2020 and 2024, the parish averaged about 61 auto thefts each year. Kia and Hyundai thefts accounted for over half of all auto thefts last year.

1 dead: Near record low for homicides

There was one person murdered, according to St Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, last year compared to five that occurred in 2023. In 2021, the parish saw the most shootings on record, with eight. Since then, the numbers have fallen each year.

In May 2024, deputies from St Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested 50-year-old L.J. McCoy, Jr., charging him with second-degree murder of his longtime girlfriend – 38-year-old Ashley Thomas. Mcoy is currently held at Nelson Coleman Correctional Center in Kilona and is awaiting trial.

562 assaults: Assaults rose by 9 percent

A total of 562 people were assaulted in St. Charles Parish in 2024. Since 2014, only one year – 2023 − has seen fewer shootings, with 512.

St. Charles Parish  Sheriff’s Office reported an increase in aggravated assault cases, rising from 512 in 2022 to 562 in 2024, according to data. In 2011, St Charles Parish had the most aggravated assault cases on record, with 990. 

Theft: At a record low

While theft incidents in St. Charles Parish decreased last year compared to 2023, they still show that theft continues to be a significant problem in the area.

In 2024, theft incidents in St Charles Parish decreased by 2.2 percent, hitting a record low of 426 cases.