
FBI Data Shows 13% Decrease in Nationwide Homicides, Contradicting Public Perception of Rising Crime
FBI data shows 13% drop in nationwide homicides and 6% decrease in violent crime in 2023.

In 2023, the FBI Quarterly Crime Report released data indicating a 13% decrease in nationwide homicides, reflecting a downward trend in violent crime across the United States. This decrease represents a positive shift, with a 6% reduction in violent crime overall in communities across the country compared to the previous year.
Impact in Major Cities
Notably, cities with populations greater than 1 million witnessed an 11% drop in crime, highlighting a significant improvement in public safety within urban centers. The geographic breakdown reveals that cities in the Northeast experienced the most substantial reduction in violent crime, with an 8% decrease in 2023. In comparison, cities in the Midwest saw a 7% reduction, while the West and the South reported 6% and 5% decreases, respectively.
Contradicting Public Perception
The new FBI data contradicts a prevailing nationwide perception that crime and violence are escalating. A November 2023 Gallup poll found that 77% of Americans believed there was more crime in the country compared to the previous year. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of those polled expressed concerns about a "very" or "extremely" serious crime problem, marking the highest level in the survey's history dating back to 2000.
Government Initiatives
The Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy in May 2021, aiming to address the United States' gun violence epidemic, the rise of hate crimes, and officer shortages in law enforcement agencies nationwide. As part of this initiative, in November, the Department of Justice announced the allocation of nearly $217 million in funding to hire 1,730 entry-level officers at 394 agencies in 48 states through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services' (COPS) hiring program.
Commitment to Public Safety
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the importance of sustaining progress in combating violent crime, stating, "We know that hard-fought progress can easily slip away, and we must remain focused and vigilant." He further emphasized the Justice Department's unwavering commitment to working with law enforcement and community partners to drive down violent crime, declaring, “We will not rest until every community in our country is safe.”
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