With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Homicide rate is dropping in U.S. cities, new report finds
Long Beach had a 37% drop in homicides in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year.
(
Christina House
/
Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
)
Topline:
Long Beach had a 37% drop in homicides in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to an analysis by the Council on Criminal Justice. The homicide rate is also 11% below what it was before COVID in 2019.
Why it matters: Adam Gelb, president and CEO of the Council on Criminal Justice, said the numbers in Long Beach and other cities are moving in the right direction, but that there’s more research that needs to be done. ”History has shown that violence can rise again without warning. So we can't be complacent. We need to keep figuring out what works and keep doing that,” he said.
Why the drop: Gelb said there are some theories — especially that the pandemic is over and access to support services and prevention programs are more available.
Sponsored message
Positive trends elsewhere: The report found other U.S. cities' homicide rates are getting back to pre-pandemic levels, too. And the city of Los Angeles recently reported a 21% decline in homicides in 2025, compared to the same time period last year.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
