In the US, the number of murders could fall to the lowest level in over 100 years – AP

In the United States in 2026, a sharp decline in the number of murders is recorded, and if the trend continues until the end of the year, the rate will become the lowest in over a century. This is reported by the Associated Press, citing a new report from the Council on Criminal Justice, writes UNN.

Details

According to the study, in 30 American cities, the number of murders in the first half of 2026 decreased by 18% compared to the same period in 2025. This is approximately 215 fewer murders. Overall, the report covers 13 categories of crimes, of which nine recorded a decline, including car thefts, burglaries, and aggravated assaults.

Experts note that current rates already surpass the crime level that existed before the COVID-19 pandemic, when the country faced a sharp spike in violence.

Reasons for the decline in crime

President of the Council on Criminal Justice Adam Gelb stated that the positive trend is observed in cities with different political leadership, social conditions, and approaches to law enforcement work. In his opinion, this indicates a nationwide nature of the changes, rather than the effectiveness of individual local decisions.

At the same time, the report recorded a slight increase in the number of shoplifting incidents, domestic violence cases, sexual crimes, and drug-related offenses.

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Meanwhile, almost a third of the cities in the sample did not show improvement. The largest increase in the number of murders was recorded in Norfolk, Virginia – by 64%, as well as in San Francisco – by 55%.

Experts see no single cause

Director of the Center for Public Safety and Justice at the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago John Roman believes that the decline in crime is explained by a combination of factors. Among them are a reduction in drug use, decreased activity of illegal markets, as well as federal funding for social programs after the pandemic.

According to Gelb, the current trend is one of the most important developments in the field of public safety in recent decades, as it means saved lives, fewer traumatized families, and more stable communities.

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