Homicide, Other Violent Crimes Decline in U.S. Cities but Remain Above Pre-Pandemic Levels

New CCJ Analysis of 2023 Crime Trends

Motor Vehicle Theft Doubles in Seven Cities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

5:00 a.m. ET | July 20, 2023

Contact: Jenifer Warren
jwarren@counciloncj.org
916-217-0780

Washington, DC – Homicide and most other violent crimes declined in American cities in the first half of 2023, but they remain above levels seen before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide protests that followed the killing of George Floyd, according to a new study of crime trends in 37 cities released today by the Council on Criminal Justice.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life on Land
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals

Analysis of Crime Trends in 2023

The analysis conducted by the Council on Criminal Justice examined crime trends in 37 cities in the United States. The study found that homicides in the first half of 2023 decreased by 9.4% compared to the same period in 2022. However, homicides still remained higher than pre-pandemic levels. Of the 30 cities that provided homicide data, 20 cities reported a decrease in homicides, while 10 cities experienced an increase. The decrease ranged from 59% in Raleigh, NC to 2% in Nashville, TN. On the other hand, the increase ranged from about 5% in Seattle to 133% in Lincoln, NE.

Motor vehicle thefts, which have been on the rise since the pandemic began, continued to increase. In the first half of 2023, motor vehicle theft rose by 33.5%, with seven cities experiencing an increase of 100% or more. Rochester, NY had the highest increase at 355%, followed by Cincinnati at 162%. Overall, the number of vehicle thefts from January to June 2023 was 104.3% higher than during the same period in 2019.

Crime Trends in Other Offenses

• Gun assaults: -5.6%
• Robberies: -3.6%
• Nonresidential burglaries: -5%
• Larcenies: -4.1%
• Residential burglaries: -3.8%
• Aggravated assaults: -2.5%
• Drug offenses: +1%
• Domestic violence: +0.3%

The decline in major crime categories is encouraging, but there is still a need for further efforts to reduce violence. The study suggests that research-backed crime prevention tools should be deployed by law enforcement, policymakers, and communities to address the persistently high rates of violence.

Comparison with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The study also compared the crime rates in the first half of 2023 with those in 2019, before the pandemic and protests. Violent crimes remained higher in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2019. Homicide rates were 24% higher than in the first half of 2019, even though they had decreased from their peak in 2021. Gun assaults (+39%), aggravated assaults (+8%), and robberies (+2%) also remained higher in the first half of 2023 compared to the first half of 2019.

Property crime trends varied, with motor vehicle thefts (+104.3%) and nonresidential burglaries (+5.1%) increasing, while drug offenses (-38.7%), residential burglaries (-26%), and larcenies (-7%) decreasing.

The authors of the study emphasized the need for continued commitment to reducing violence across the country, especially in poorer communities of color. They highlighted the reforms proposed by the Council on Criminal Justice’s Task Force on Policing and Violent Crime Working Group as potential solutions to improve policing and strengthen violence reduction efforts in the United States.

The study was supported by various organizations, including the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Arnold Ventures, the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation, Southern Company Foundation, Stand Together Trust, #StartSmall, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and other contributors to the Council on Criminal Justice.

About the Report and Data

The report, co-authored by Professor Emeritus Richard Rosenfeld, Ernesto Lopez, and Bobby Boxerman, provides an analysis of crime trends in 37 U.S. cities using data through June 2023. The cities included in the study range from Atlanta to Philadelphia, with varying population sizes. The data for this report were obtained within days of the end of the study period to provide a timely snapshot of crime across the nation.

About the Council on Criminal Justice

The Council on Criminal Justice is a nonpartisan invitational membership organization and think tank that aims to advance understanding of criminal justice policy challenges and promote evidence-based solutions.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
   • Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets, and combat all forms of organized crime
   • Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible, green, and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons, and persons with disabilities
   • Target 11.8: Support positive economic, social, and environmental links between urban, peri-urban, and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning
   • Target 11.a: Support least developed countries, including through financial and technical assistance, in building sustainable and resilient buildings utilizing local materials
   • Target 11.b: By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
• Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels
• Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible, green, and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons, and persons with disabilities
• Target 11.8: Support positive economic, social, and environmental links between urban, peri-urban, and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not explicitly mention any indicators. However, the following indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator for Target 16.1: Number of homicides and violent crimes
• Indicator for Target 16.3: Access to justice index
• Indicator for Target 16.7: Level of public participation in decision-making processes
• Indicator for Target 11.7: Percentage of population with access to safe and inclusive public spaces
• Indicator for Target 11.8: Number of integrated policies and plans implemented for sustainable urban development

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: counciloncj.org

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