Tourism Council: Savannah crime rates declining despite Forsyth Park attack

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Savannah’s Tourism Leadership Council (TLC) has released a newsletter responding to the Forsyth Park acid attack that took place on Dec. 10.

According to investigators, a man randomly poured chemicals on Ashley Wasielewski while she was jogging around the park that evening. Wasielewski has been undergoing specialized burn treatment, including skin grafts, at a hospital in Augusta.

The TLC’s newsletter opened by stating the act was reprehensible and does not reflect the community of Savannah. The letter went on to state that while the attack has caused worry, TLC leaders wanted to provide information to address community concerns.

“Without minimizing the trauma of the recent attack on Ms. Wasielewski, the attack that occurred that night also feels like an attack on our community itself and on the real progress we have been making to improve public safety. Since the last shooting incident near Ellis Square, there has been a significant increase in police presence and patrols. Incidents of violent crime have dropped in the whole area substantially, all because of the rededicated efforts and presence of our police department.”

The letter went on to detail that the number of vacancies at the Savannah Police Department have dropped from more than 150 at the start of the year to less than 100 current openings.

SPD has said patrols have been increased in and around Forsyth Park following the incident.

The TLC supplied statistics showing that crime rates in most tourism districts have declined year-over-year.

“This isolated event is an anomaly, and there is no indication that it reflects a wider threat,” the newsletter said.

The TLC provided a breakdown of data from SPD showing year-over-year crime in different sections of the city.

Northwest Beat (Downtown)

The Northwest Beat covers parts of downtown Savannah, including tourist areas that encompass City Market, the entertainment district and Forsyth Park.

The TLC noted the 6% decrease in crime reports from 2024, and 19% decrease from 2023 shows sustained improvement. The letter also pointed out the tourism-heavy areas also show consistent declines, potentially due to the high-visibility areas deterring crimes.

Neighborhoods

Data provided by the TLC breaks down Savannah crime reports by neighborhood.

The TLC said while the SE Historic District has seen a 9% increase in crime since 2024 - driven by property crimes - the overall number is still relatively low, and violent crimes are minimal, with three reported in 2025.

The NW Historic District has seen a 35% drop since 2023, which the TLC said reflects better crowd management in an area with active nightlife.

Tourism Hotspots

The TLC detailed the following crime rates in high-traffic areas, including notes on distinctions on violent vs. property crime.

The newsletter noted the Savannah’s entertainment district saw a 40% reduction in crime from 2023, likely due to post-COVID recovery and surveillance investments.

Data shows Forsyth Park had zero other reported incidents outside the Dec. 10 acid attack.

“Violent crimes across these areas are rare and often non-random,” the letter said.

Violent Crime

SPD data shows the following violent crime reports in 2025:

Central Historic District: 11 violent crimes (1 rape, 1 commercial robbery, 2 street robberies, 1 gun assault, 6 non-gun assaults—mostly domestic).

SE Historic District: 3 violent crimes (1 non-domestic assault, 1 residential robbery, 1 rape).

The TLC said these decline suggest Savannah Police strategies - including community policing - have been effective in decreasing violent crime.

“In summary, while the disgusting attack on December 10 understandably heightens concern and weighs on all of us, the broader picture shows that Savannah is becoming safer in 2025, with our tourism areas leading the way in improvements, thanks to the police and the business community’s increased communications and vigilance.”

The Tourism Leadership Council’s full newsletter on Savannah crime rates can be read here.

Several Savannah businesses are offering rewards for information that leads to an arrest in the Forsyth Park attack.