Violent crime rates plunge in America's big cities

"The declines show up across every major region, suggesting a systemic, nationwide trend. The quarterly reports collected by the Major Cities Chiefs Association have been a good measure of trends that are reflected in the annual FBI crime data released in the fall. By the numbers: Homicides dropped 17.7%. Robberies fell 20.4%. Rapes declined 7.2%. Aggravated assaults decreased 4.8%."

"Some of the nation's biggest cities posted especially dramatic homicide declines in the first three months of 2026. Among those that saw sizable percentage drops in homicide were Washington, D.C. (64.7%), Philadelphia (54%), San Diego (50%) and Memphis (34.4%). New York City experienced a 31.7% drop in homicides during Mayor Zohran Mamdani's first months in office. Los Angeles (23%) and Houston (36.4%) also posted homicide declines during the same period."

"The new numbers complicate the political narrative around crime heading into the 2026 midterms. President Trump has repeatedly described major Democratic-led cities as gripped by violent crime. Data show many urban areas have become significantly safer over the last two years, with drops beginning in the second half of the Biden presidency and continuing under Trump. Trump cited violent crime as his reason for sending federal troops last year to Chicago, Portland, Washington, D.C., Memphis, and cities in California."

"In response to early reports that crime was dropping to record lows, the Trump administration has changed its tone and has begun touting the declines while crediting its policies. Yes, but: The recovery remains uneven. Some cities still reported increases in certain violent crime categories even as overall violence fell. Minneapolis, Atlanta, and Virginia Beach, Va., were among the cities that pos"

Declines in violent crime appear across major regions, indicating a nationwide systemic trend. Quarterly reports from the Major Cities Chiefs Association align with annual FBI crime data released in the fall. Homicides dropped 17.7%, robberies fell 20.4%, rapes declined 7.2%, and aggravated assaults decreased 4.8%. Several large cities recorded especially dramatic homicide declines in the first three months of 2026, including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, San Diego, Memphis, New York City, Los Angeles, and Houston. The changes complicate political narratives about crime ahead of the 2026 midterms. Some cities still saw increases in certain violent crime categories even as overall violence fell.

Read at Axios