California Crime Rates Fall in 2025
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-Editorial
California recorded declines across major crime categories in 2025, including a drop in the state’s homicide rate to its lowest level since statewide reporting began in 1966, according to figures highlighted by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration.
The homicide rate fell to 3.5 per 100,000 residents in 2025. Compared with 2024, homicides decreased 18.6%, robberies fell 19.9%, property crime declined 14.3%, motor vehicle theft dropped 25.8%, and violent crime decreased 10.2%, according to data cited by the governor’s office.
Newsom attributed the declines to a combination of law enforcement, crime prevention programs, gun safety measures and efforts targeting organized retail theft and fentanyl trafficking.
The administration also pointed to research from the University of California, Berkeley, examining a community violence intervention program in Richmond. Researchers estimated the program was associated with a 61% reduction in firearm homicides and injury shootings over 14 years when Richmond was compared with similar U.S. cities.
Richmond’s Office of Neighborhood Safety has received $10 million through the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Program, which provides funding for local efforts intended to reduce shootings and other forms of violence.
California has increased funding for violence intervention programs in recent years while also expanding state law enforcement operations.
California Highway Patrol Crime Suppression Teams, established in 2023, have made 15,197 arrests, recovered 7,042 stolen vehicles and seized 656 firearms, according to the administration. The teams operate in six regions and work with local law enforcement agencies on auto theft, violent crime, organized criminal activity and illegal firearms cases.
Nearly 400 CHP cadets are expected to graduate in 2026. More than 2,900 cadets have entered the department since Newsom took office, according to the governor’s office. An initiative announced in 2022 to add 1,000 CHP officers was completed in 2024.
State officials also reported continued enforcement against organized retail theft. Since October 2023, law enforcement agencies have made 35,907 arrests, referred 28,667 cases for prosecution, and recovered more than $293.4 million in stolen property, according to the administration.
California has allocated more than $242 million to 38 law enforcement agencies for organized retail theft enforcement and more than $24 million to 13 district attorneys’ offices for prosecution efforts.
Efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking have also been part of the state’s public safety strategy.
Since 2021, California National Guard Counterdrug Task Force analysts have assisted law enforcement operations that intercepted approximately 39,644 pounds of fentanyl and 54.6 million pills containing fentanyl, according to the administration. The state estimated the seized drugs had a street value of about $534 million.
California has simultaneously expanded access to naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. The governor’s office said the state’s Naloxone Distribution Project has contributed to more than 460,000 reported overdose reversals.
The administration also reported enforcement against prohibited hemp, kratom and 7-hydroxymitragynine products. Officials said nearly 15,300 products have been removed from store shelves.
Newsom said the state intends to continue combining law enforcement with prevention and intervention programs.
“Crime is down, our homicide rate is at its lowest level since statewide reporting began, we’ve put more CHP officers on the streets, and we’re taking deadly drugs, illegal guns and stolen goods out of our communities,” Newsom said.
The figures released by the administration reflect statewide trends and enforcement activity. Crime levels and trends can vary considerably among individual cities and counties across California.
