San Diego continued its four-year trend of declining crime in 2025, with overall crime decreasing by 6.3% compared to the previous year, officials announced Monday. The positive trend encompasses a broad range of offenses, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a safe urban center. This latest data, based on the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), shows significant reductions in violent and property crimes, though some categories, like offenses against society, saw slight increases.
Mayor Todd Gloria hailed the news as a significant achievement, stating, “Today’s announcement that crime is down once again for the fourth year in a row is something that is truly worth celebrating. It as well proves something that is extremely important, and that’s that a large city can also be a safe city.” The decline in crime rates is occurring alongside similar trends in other California cities and across the nation, as communities move further from pandemic-era peaks in criminal activity.
The NIBRS data, managed by the U.S. Department of Justice, provides a detailed look at over two dozen crime types, categorized as crimes against persons, property, and society. According to a city statement, the overall decrease continues a multi-year downward trend since the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) began reporting NIBRS statistics in 2023. Many major offense categories are now at levels not seen in decades, considering the city’s current population.
Homicide and Violent Crime See Notable Declines
Perhaps the most striking improvement is the nearly 19% decline in homicides. In 2025, San Diego recorded 39 homicides, with 12 attributed to DUI-related crashes and 27 classified as murders – a 25% decrease from the 36 murders recorded in 2024. Police officials have arrested or identified a suspect in 26 of the 27 murder cases. Sexual assaults also decreased by 6.9%, continuing a downward trend observed in the previous two years. Non-fatal shootings dropped by 21%, representing a 63% decrease since 2021, when the city saw 256 such incidents.
The city’s violent crime rate currently stands at 4.1 per 1,000 residents, placing San Diego among the safest large cities in the United States. This positive trend is attributed to a combination of effective policing strategies, strong community partnerships, and the strategic use of technology.
Proposition 36 and Crimes Against Society
Whereas crimes against persons and property decreased, offenses categorized as “crimes against society” – including drug offenses, prostitution, and animal cruelty – saw a slight increase. City officials attribute this rise to the enforcement of Proposition 36, approved by voters in November 2024. Proposition 36 increased penalties for individuals with prior convictions for petty theft or drug possession, potentially leading to more arrests and bookings for repeat offenders.
Police Chief Scott Wahl explained that the changes in legislation have impacted police response to criminal activity. “We’ve seen the laws change recently or be added back into the books,” Wahl said. “We’re arming and equipping our police officers with the tools they need to have an impact.”
Technology and Community Policing Play a Role
The SDPD credits technology, such as smart streetlight cameras and automated license plate readers, with contributing to a 22% decline in motor vehicle thefts, following similar decreases in 2023 and 2024. Hate crime reports also decreased by 32%, falling from 60 cases in 2024 to 41 cases in 2025, with bias against a religion accounting for nearly half of those incidents.
Beyond technology, Chief Wahl emphasized the importance of community partnerships. He noted that community groups are integral to building trust and fostering deeper relationships between officers and the neighborhoods they serve, leading to increased collaboration in crime intervention and prevention. “Trust is our No. 1 priority and will always be our No. 1 priority,” Wahl said. “All of San Diego is better when we work together.”
The detailed crime data is available for review by neighborhood, allowing residents to understand crime trends in their specific areas. The East Village, near Petco Park, reported the highest number of crimes in the “crimes against society” category, with drug violations increasing from 1,220 in 2024 to 1,393 in 2025. Sorrento Valley saw the sharpest rise in crimes against persons, with a 60% increase, from 25 offenses in 2024 to 40 in 2025.
Looking ahead, the SDPD will continue to analyze crime data and adapt its strategies to address emerging challenges. The ongoing collaboration between law enforcement and the community will be crucial in maintaining the positive trend and ensuring the safety of San Diego residents. Share your thoughts on these developments in the comments below.
