U.S. Cities Report Significant Homicide Declines in 2023, With Baltimore and St. Louis Reaching Decade-Low Figures

Homicide rates across numerous major U.S. cities experienced substantial declines in 2023, continuing into early 2024, a notable reversal from the sharp increases observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This widespread reduction in violent crime has drawn attention, particularly regarding cities led by Black mayors, despite claims on social media that such achievements are going unnoticed.

Baltimore, under Mayor Brandon Scott, a Black mayor, recorded 262 homicides in 2023, marking the lowest annual total for the city in nearly a decade. This figure represents a 20% decrease from the 333 homicides in 2022, according to the Baltimore Sun. While a significant improvement, the 2023 total remains higher than the 211 homicides reported in 2014.

Similarly, St. Louis, led by Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, the city's first Black woman mayor, saw its homicide count fall to 152 in 2023. This represents the lowest number of killings in St. Louis in a decade, a 20% drop from 187 homicides in 2022, as reported by STLToday. However, the city's homicide rate per capita still ranks among the highest nationally.

Beyond these cities, the trend of declining homicides is broadly observed. Detroit, for instance, recorded 252 homicides in 2023, its fewest since 1966, with Mayor Mike Duggan stating, "We are seeing record drops in gun violence in Detroit." Boston, under Mayor Michelle Wu, also ended 2024 with its lowest murder count since the 1950s. Conversely, some cities like Memphis, Washington D.C., and Durham saw homicides rise from 2022 to 2023.

Experts attribute these declines to a combination of factors, including the re-establishment of community services, focused law enforcement tactics, and increased investment in community violence intervention programs. The return to pre-pandemic societal norms and improved partnerships within the criminal justice system are also cited as contributing to the reduction in violence.

Contrary to the social media assertion that "no news outlets are talking about how these 2 black mayors have achieved record low homicides," major news organizations like CNN, AP News, Bloomberg, and local outlets have extensively covered these declining crime trends, highlighting specific cities and the efforts of their leadership. This widespread reporting underscores the public and journalistic interest in the ongoing shifts in urban public safety.