Anniston, AL – The City of Anniston Police Department has released its 2025 Annual Report, detailing crime statistics, department activity, staffing updates, and community outreach efforts over the past year.
According to the report, violent crime in Anniston decreased by 15.5% in 2025 compared to 2024, while property crime declined by 14.8% during the same period. The data continues a longer-term trend, with violent crime decreasing by 58.7% since 2016.
The report provides a breakdown of violent crime categories. In 2025, the city recorded 2 homicides, 20 sexual assaults, 44 robberies, and 261 aggravated assaults. Overall, violent crime cases decreased from 387 incidents in 2024 to 327 incidents in 2025.
Property crime also showed a reduction. Burglary cases dropped from 253 to 215, theft cases declined from 883 to 745, and motor vehicle theft decreased from 104 incidents to 97.
The report also highlights the level of police activity across the city. During 2025, officers handled 54,647 public safety incidents, including calls for service as well as officer-initiated activity.
Among the most common types of police activity were traffic stops (12,892), suspicious person or vehicle calls (4,049), domestic disturbance calls (2,438), burglar alarm responses (2,408), and disturbance calls (2,275). Officers also conducted 1,988 security checks, 1,798 welfare checks, and assisted with 1,378 vehicle lockouts.
The report also provides a geographic breakdown of activity across Anniston’s response zones. Zone 3 recorded the highest activity level with 10,369 incidents, followed by Zone 4 with 10,533 incidents and Zone 7 with 8,956 incidents.
In addition to responding to incidents, the department continued a variety of community outreach programs in 2025. Officers participated in youth mentoring programs such as the Anniston Police Youth Explorer Program, conducted reading events for students through Read Across America, and supported families through an annual food drive and other charitable initiatives.
One of the department’s largest outreach efforts remained the annual Christmas Toy Drive, where officers and community partners distributed 94 bicycles and gifts to local families.
Staffing improvements were also a focus during the year. The department hired 11 new officers in 2025, strengthening patrol coverage and investigative capacity. As of early March 2026, the department is one officer away from reaching full staffing levels.
The report also recognized department personnel for their service. Officer Matthew Martin was named Anniston Police Department’s 2025 Officer of the Year for his professionalism and reliability in patrol operations and his participation in the department’s Special Response Team.
Additionally, Sergeant Doug White was promoted after more than ten years of service with the department. His career has included work in patrol operations and investigations, including cases involving burglaries and property crimes.
The report also recognized the retirement of Chief Nick Bowles, who concluded more than 25 years of service with the department after serving in multiple leadership roles, including Chief of Police since 2020.
Department leadership noted that the annual report is intended to provide transparency and give residents a clearer understanding of crime trends, policing activity, and the department’s ongoing commitment to public safety. Officials said the department will continue focusing on staffing, technology, and community partnerships as it works to further improve safety and quality of life in Anniston.
