Kinston police report shows violent crime down, overall crime up in first quarter
Kinston police reported a drop in violent crime during the first quarter of 2026, but increases in property crimes pushed the city’s overall offense total higher than the same period a year earlier.
Police Chief Keith Goyette presented the department’s first-quarter crime statistics to the Kinston City Council on Tuesday night as part of the meeting’s information updates. The report showed total offenses rising from 775 in the first quarter of 2025 to 840 in the first quarter of 2026, an increase of about 8 percent. According to the report, that increase was driven “almost entirely by property crime growth, not violent crime.”
Goyette told council that violent crime accounted for 18 percent of reported crime in the city, while 82 percent involved nonviolent incidents.
“About 82% of our crime is going to be smaller incidents, reported incidents of property crime,” Goyette said. “18% of our crime is going to be violent crime.”
The chief said the city saw a 13 percent drop in violent crime overall, which he noted compares favorably with broader trends.
“As far as our violent crime goes, we’re pretty much on pace with the rest of America right now,” Goyette said. “It’s about 13% reduction, whereas the state is at 11 percent. We’re at 13.”
The quarter-by-quarter report showed murder unchanged at two cases, rape down from five to three, robbery down from 17 to nine, and aggravated assault unchanged at 29.
Property crime, however, moved in the opposite direction. The report showed motor vehicle theft increasing from 10 to 14 cases, breaking and entering rising from 46 to 68, and larceny increasing from 120 to 138. The department’s memo described property crime as “the primary pressure point” heading into the second quarter.
“Who’s the driver to the increase are going to be your motor vehicle thefts,” Goyette told council. “Breaking and entering went up from 46 to 68. Larcenies increased 138 from 120. The increase is collectively pushed total offenses in the first quarter to 840.”
Goyette also said calls for service remained largely steady and highlighted continued reporting compliance through the NIBRS crime reporting system.
“Something I do want to point out is that we continue to maintain 100% NIBRS compliance,” he said. “Which is very, very important when it comes to applying for grants and being transparent with our citizens, as well as accurate year to year comparisons.”
Council members used the discussion to raise concerns about domestic violence, speeding and mental health-related calls. Goyette said domestic violence cases have increased slightly over the past two years and said the department works with outside partners, including victim advocates and Trillium, on some crisis situations.
