After a spike in homicides and violence during the pandemic, a new report shows major cities across the country are seeing a sharp drop in violent crime.
According to data gathered by the Major Cities Chief Association from 70 of the nation's largest cities, violent crime fell across every category in the first half of the year compared to last.
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The data shows that during the first six months of 2024 compared to the same time in 2023, homicides dropped by 17.4%, rape dropped by 9.7%, robbery dropped by 6% and aggravated assault dropped by 5.3%.
"This updated data comes in the wake of last year's historic drop in homicides nationwide and one of the lowest levels of violent crime in 50 years," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.
"We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners across the country to arrest violent felons, seize and trace guns used in crimes, disrupt violent drug trafficking, and make critical investments in police departments to hire more officers. And we will continue to work with our community partners to support life-saving initiatives aimed at preventing and disrupting violence before it occurs," Garland added.
Columbus, Ohio, experienced the largest percentage decline in overall violent crime in the nation at 41%, according to Axios, which analyzed the data. That's followed by Omaha, Nebraska with a 30% decrease; Miami and Washington, D.C. at 29%; Austin, Texas at 28%; and New Orleans with a 26% drop.
The Biden administration said the drop in crime "did not happen by accident."
"When Vice President Harris and I took office, our nation had just seen the largest increase in murders ever recorded during the previous Administration," President Joe Biden said in a statement. "Americans are safer today than when Vice President Harris and I took office."
Biden said he would continue to urge Congress to "fund 100,000 additional police officers and crime prevention and community violence intervention programs, and make commonsense gun safety reforms such as a ban on assault weapons."
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