Homicides fall 17% in big U.S. cities as the post-pandemic crime decline continues

Homicides in major U.S. cities dropped seventeen point two percent through June compared to last year, according to Axios data on preliminary figures. The sharpest falls appeared in cities long plagued by violence: Washington, D.C., saw a forty-three point nine percent decrease, Memphis fell forty-three point seven percent, and Houston dropped thirty-eight point three percent. Across sixty-six large communities analyzed, Axios found roughly fourteen thousand two hundred fewer violent crimes overall in the first half of the year — robberies down sixteen point six percent, sexual assaults down six point two percent. The trend spans two administrations: homicides began declining under President Biden following the pandemic-era spike and have kept falling under President Trump. While several cities defied the pattern — San Diego jumped eighty-one point three percent — the overall decline holds steady across communities with different political systems and policing strategies.

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