DETROIT – Detroit saw the fewest murders in 2025 since 1965, marking a historic drop in violent crime for the city.
All major crime categories, including homicides, nonfatal shootings, and carjackings, saw reductions of at least 10%.
It’s the third consecutive year that Detroit has seen a significant drop in crime.
The announcement was made Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the Detroit Public Safety Headquarters.
Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison said the department will double down on its effective strategies under Mayor Mary Sheffield’s leadership.
Violent crime dropped 10.2% and property crime dropped 9.7%
Homicides decreased 18.7% from 2024 and 34.5% from 2023, with 165 murders recorded -- the lowest number since 1965. This is the first time in roughly 60 years that Detroit has seen fewer than 200 murders.
Nonfatal shootings dropped to 447 in 2025 from 607 the previous year. In 2020, the city recorded more than 1,000 nonfatal shootings.
Carjackings fell sharply to 77 in 2025, about half the number from the year before. Car thefts also dropped 23.3%.
Sexual assaults decreased 13.7%, aggravated assaults 8.4%, robberies 21.2%, and burglaries 10%.
City officials again credit its partnerships with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, federal agencies and community violence intervention groups (CVI).
During Wednesday’s press conference, Mayor Mary Sheffield announced plans to launch Detroit’s first Office of Neighborhood and Community Safety.
The new office aims to introduce a human-centered, preventative approach to public safety, focusing beyond policing. It will provide wraparound services such as youth empowerment, job training, mental health support, and greater access to recreation centers.