Reports of crimes in four major categories are down in the first half of 2024 compared with the same period last year, the Major Cities Chiefs Association says, compiling statistics from 69 jurisdictions. Homicides dropped to 3,124 this year from 3,783 in the same period last year. Reported rapes were down to 13,064 from 14,472, the robbery total fell to 45,575 from 48,529, and aggravated assaults decreased to 134,293 from 141,944.
The data cover only a small fraction of U.S. law enforcement agencies, but they mirror reports by other analysts. The FBI's compilation for last year probably will not be out until next month; neither will the National Crime Victimization Survey, which includes estimates of crimes not reported to law enforcement. The Council on Criminal Justice reported that the number of homicides in 29 study cities was 13% lower–319 fewer homicides–during the first half of 2024 than in the first half of 2023. There were 7% fewer reported aggravated assaults and 18% fewer gun assaults in the first half of 2024 than during the same period in 2023, the council said. .Crime analyst Jeff Asher has reported homicides down 12 percent in 2023 relative to 2022 in data from 31 states.