A Council on Criminal Justice report shows homicide rates fell about 18% in the first half of 2026 vs 2025 across 30 to 36 cities, potentially the lowest national rate since 1900, though some cities like Salt Lake City diverged with increases in other crime categories. Experts say the decline stems from nationwide factors—including technology, post-pandemic behavior changes, and broad enforcement—rather than any single local policy, and the trend remains uneven across neighborhoods and cities.
