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The Johnson City Police Department has released a new set of crime statistics that paints a compelling picture of the impact of the controversial last call ordinance, which was enacted in August. Shared with News Channel 11, these figures illustrate notable changes in the crime landscape of Johnson City.
Analyzing the data from the period between September 5, 2024, and March 5, 2025, there were 22 reported cases of aggravated assault, 18 incidents of disorderly conduct, 53 drug-related violations, and 58 DUI charges. In stark contrast, the following year from September 5, 2025, to March 5, 2026, saw a dramatic drop: aggravated assaults decreased by 77%, disorderly conduct incidents fell by 33%, drug-related violations were down by 24%, and DUI charges decreased by 48%.
These statistics have stirred conversations among city officials, who believe the numbers highlight the ordinance’s effectiveness. Vice Mayor Jenny Brock expressed a sense of relief and optimism, stating, “The thing that impressed me most is that the amount of violent crime that was being committed downtown has been reduced significantly. That’s the part that was really so hard to deal with and see people’s lives be changed like they were.”
The data seems to underscore a significant step forward in creating a safer community, leaving city leaders hopeful that the trend will continue. As these changes take root, the story of Johnson City’s transformation offers an intriguing case study in the balance between policy and public safety.
“The thing that impressed me most is that the amount of violent crime that was being committed (downtown) has been reduced significantly,” said Vice Mayor Jenny Brock. “That’s the part that was really so hard to deal with and see people’s lives be changed like they were.”
“I feel like revenue could really pull forward,” said Mayor Greg Cox. “I’m anxious to see our sales tax numbers when it kind of comes around to see how that revenue is, pull forward, and watch these safety numbers and how it’s changed. That’s been impressive enough where it was the absolute right decision for our community, no question.”
But some say the numbers don’t pass the eye test.
Owner of Mulligan’s Gaming Pub, Keith McCoy, said he hasn’t seen much of a difference in crime downtown since the ordinance passed.
“We see similar traffic problems with people drag racing in the street,” McCoy said. “We do see people who are drunk and disorderly occasionally and have to be dealt with with the help of the Johnson City police. I can’t say that it’s less, but I can say that since the other bars close earlier, we see some of their customers earlier than we used to, and some are disruptive, so I think that kind of low-level disruptive civil disobedience, drunk and disorderly stuff. We actually see a little more of it than we used to see.”
McCoy said the behavior is nothing they have never seen before, but the other side of East Main Street sees the most incidents.
“There are more bars down there than up here,” he said. “The parking lots are down there, so when people come in and they want to be disruptive, that’s where their cars are and that’s where they’re going to be near.”
McCoy believes the crime rates could be even lower if law enforcement patrolled the streets like they did back in August, saying those patrols were the lowest he had ever seen crime downtown.
“They don’t make as many walking patrols up and down the streets as they did with the Washington County sheriff did during that time,” McCoy said. “To be honest, [JCPD] were with the Washington County sheriff at that time as well. I think what we saw there was proof that having our police, whether it’s the JCPD or the sheriff on the street, visible helps everybody feel safer and be safer.”
Cox said they still have to wait and see the full effects of the ordinance.
“The data that the police has shown us so far had been significantly different,” Cox said. “I don’t want to speak too soon. I really want to have a good 12 to 18 months of data before we really dive in.”