Crime statistics are easily obtainable on the internet and elsewhere. Indeed, the Arizona Department of Public Safety regularly publishes the number of crimes committed statewide, and for each county and city in the state. Despite some clear indications that crime is down in almost every category, we consistently hear about so-called rising crime rates.
For 2023, the last full year of reporting, crime was down statewide from the previous year by 16.5%. For those unfamiliar with the numbers in this area, a decline of that amount comes to over 40,000 less crimes than in 2022. And if we extrapolate the figures from the first half of 2024, it appears that we will see a similar decline this year.
Figures can be confusing, however, so we’ll provide you with a breakdown for some of the major categories from last year:
- Violent Crime – Down 12.31%
- Burglary – Down 18.84%
- Arson – Down 18.34%
- Larceny – Down 26.41%
What does all this mean? Well, for one thing, violent crime is down significantly. And while there were a few categories that saw an increase (e.g., car theft and fraud), even those increases were mild, compared with the overall downward trend in crimes statewide. And while Arizona ranks among the top ten states in terms of drunk driving deaths, the number of DUI deaths has also declined in recent years. Finally. 2023 even saw a decrease in the number of drug arrests.
The fact is that there was a period of several years when violent crime increased in Arizona. But that trend has been reversed over the past couple of years.
One final note. The trends we ascertained were based on numbers published by the Arizona DPS. They, in turn, were based on reports by law enforcement agencies across the state. The timeliness and accuracy of the reports will have an impact on the ultimate numbers, and any conclusions we reach as a result.
Law Offices of David A. Black
40 North Central Avenue #1850
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(480) 280-8028