Two types of crime increased in Richland County in 2025. What you need to know.
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Crime rates in Richland County remained steady in 2025 compared to 2024, except for assaults and property crime.
In a news conference dubbed “2025 State of the County,” Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott told reporters on Wednesday that while crime remained mostly steady in 2025, there’s more the community can do to help make the county safer.
“This is not a law enforcement problem,” Lott said. “This is a community problem. Crime is a community problem, and as a community, we need to address it.”
In 2025, the department saw a drop in murders by one and marked the third year when every homicide committed in Richland County was solved, Lott said.
Murder victims ranged in age from 16 to 78, while suspects ranged from 15-years-old to 70, according to Lott.
Meanwhile, sexual assaults dropped by 5.5% from 73 in 2024 to 69 in 2025. Robberies remained the same at 137, while assaults increased by 15% from 1000 in 2024 to 1151 in 2025, Lott said.
Car thefts dropped by almost 20% from 875 in 2024 to 702 in 2025, while larceny increased by 13% from 2,310 in 2024 to 2,617 in 2025.
Lott attributed the rise in larceny to shoplifting by homeless people.
“Homeless people going in and stealing stuff at night,” Lott said. “There’s a tremendous problem with our homeless people that make it comfortable for them to do these things.”
In 2025, Lott began an initiative aimed at holding parents accountable for crimes committed by their children.
Seven parents were arrested under the initiative after their child was involved either in a murder or shooting.
“I’ve been asked, ‘Why do you want to lock all these parents up?’ and the answer is, parents aren’t being parents by enabling their children to go out and commit crimes.”
