Major U.S. Cities See Historic 40% Homicide Decline in Early 2025

Homicide rates and major crimes have significantly declined in numerous U.S. cities during 2025, contradicting President Trump's assertions that escalating crime necessitates National Guard deployments. Data from 67 law enforcement agencies show an overall 19% decrease in homicides in major cities, with places like Buffalo, Denver, Orlando, and Seattle experiencing over 40% declines, while Chicago and Portland reported notable drops of 22.1% and 39%, respectively. New York City saw a nearly 49% year-over-year reduction in murders in October and the fewest shootings and victims recorded for that month in decades, attributed to targeted policing strategies. Baltimore experienced a 31.7% decline in homicides and a 22% drop in nonfatal shootings, credited to collaborative violence reduction efforts and community engagement. Peoria also reported decreases in shooting incidents by 15% and homicides by 39%, despite some recent spikes. St. Louis recorded its lowest homicide rate since 2013, further underscoring a national trend of declining violent crime in key urban areas.