Crime rates are dropping in California, Gov. Newsom says
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — New data suggests violent and property crimes are dropping in California. Governor Gavin Newsom released an analysis of Real Time Crime Index data from the Public Policy Institute of California comparing 2023 crime rates to 2024.
The PPIC's analysis revealed that, compared to 2023, violent crime dropped by 4.6%, and property crime dropped by 8.5%, in 2024 statewide.
'Preliminary crime data for 29 of California's law enforcement agencies—representing close to one quarter of the state's population—points toward broad decreases in violent and property crime in 2024,' PPIC wrote in its report.
Homicides fell by nearly 6% last year, robberies decreased by 5.2% aggravated assaults went down by 3.9%, robberies dropped by 12.5%, and burglaries dipped 13.6 %. There was a large decrease for vehicle thefts — an 11.9% drop — and property crimes — 8.5%.
'Like all crime data, it is important to keep in mind that it is limited to crimes that are reported to law enforcement agencies, and not all crimes get reported,' PPIC wrote.
The governor's office attributed encouraging crimes trends to 'stronger enforcement, serious penalties, (and) real consequences.'
Newsom wrote on X Tuesday, 'Violent and property crime rates dropped throughout California last year — thanks in part to the $1.1B we've invested since 2019 into safety and security.'
California invested $1.1 billion since 2019 to fight crime, help local governments hire more police, and improve public safety. 'These funds have enabled cities and counties to hire more police, make more arrests, and secure more felony charges against suspects,' the governor's office wrote.
Newsom tasked the California Highway Patrol to work with local law enforcement to saturate high-crime areas, aiming to reduce roadway violence and criminal activity in the area, specifically vehicle theft and organized retail crime. In Oakland, there have been more than 1,800 arrests and 3,217 stolen vehicles recovered.
New laws passed in California bolstered law enforcement efforts to hold criminals accountable for smash-and-grab robberies, property crime, retail theft, including up to three years of jail time for organized retail theft.
New anti-crime laws include:
• AB 1779 – Theft• AB 1802 – Organized theft• AB 1972 – Regional property crimes task force• AB 2943 – Shoplifting• AB 3209 – Retail theft restraining orders• SB 905 – Theft from a vehicle• SB 982 – Organized theft• SB 1144 – Online marketplaces• SB 1242 – Arson• SB 1416 – Sentencing enhancements: sale, exchange, or return of stolen property
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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