Reported violent crime continued to decline in 2024's first quarter in 68 large cities surveyed by the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), the group reported on Friday. The homicide total fell to 1,474 in the first three months of the year, compared with 1,782 in the first quarter of 2023. Robberies dropped to 22,195 from 22,890 in the same period. Reported rapes declined to 5,949 from 7,134 and aggravated assaults to 57,270 from 62,282.
Results of the police chiefs survey are consistent with reports from other sources that also compile data obtained from police departments around the U.S. Philadelphia reported major declines in two key categories, homicides down this year to 64 from 106 in the first quarter last year and robberies down to 966 from 1,303 last year. Washington, D.C., homicides were down to 38 from 57 last year and robberies fell to 530 from 613. In some others cities, trends were mixed. Baltimore's homicides dropped to 45 from 63 last year but reported robberies rose to 767 from 692. Chicago homicides fell to 111 from 117 but robberies rose slightly. Los Angeles reported increases in homicides, from 70 last year to 84 this year, and in robberies, from 1,952 last year to 2,146 this year. New York City did not report crime totals to MCCA.