"Collectively, crime in Berkeley fell 11% from 2024 to 2025 across the categories the agency tracks, using a reporting system instituted by the FBI. That drop was driven by a decline in property crimes, which were down 18%, according to BPD's annual report for 2025."
"The overall drop in crime continues a trend that began in 2024, and was largely reflective of a nationwide pattern in which crime levels that soared in the early 2020s have subsided more recently."
"Arlo Malmberg, the department's civilian head of data analysis, attributed last year's decline in part to a return to pre-pandemic levels, as well as state and local investments in violence prevention work and new tech for police agencies."
"Fatal traffic collisions, while rare, increased from four in 2024 to five in 2025, but there were fewer crashes overall. The number of collisions with or without injury each fell by more than 10%."
In 2025, Berkeley experienced an 11% drop in crime compared to 2024, with property crimes decreasing by 18%. Violent crimes, however, rose by 2%. The decline in crime aligns with a national trend of decreasing crime rates following a spike in the early 2020s. Factors contributing to this decline include a return to pre-pandemic conditions and investments in violence prevention. Despite the overall positive trend, concerns exist regarding the sustainability of these improvements due to potential cuts in federal funding for police resources.
Read at www.berkeleyside.org
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