It's not just Boston. Homicides and violent crime overall fell in cities across the country the first half of 2024, per an Axios review.
Why it matters: Homicides not only tear apart families and neighborhoods, but can become political fodder in the presidential race.
By the numbers: An Axios analysis of data from theMajor Cities Chiefs Association found an overall 17% drop in homicides among 69 cities during the first half of 2024 compared to the same period last year.
Boston experienced a 78% drop in homicides.
Nassau County, New York (83%), Philadelphia (42%) and New Orleans (40%) also saw major drops.
Yes, but: Robberies and aggravated assaults tripled in Boston in the first six months of the year, compared to the same period last year.
Boston's overall violent crime rate fell less than 2%.
Zoom out: Violent crime fell by 6% across the 69 cities in the same time frame.
54 of the 69 major cities in the report saw drops in violent crime — defined as homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault — in the first half of 2024, according to the Axios review.
Columbus, Ohio, experienced the largest percentage decline in violent crime in the nation, with a massive 41% drop so far in 2024. Omaha, Nebraska, was second with a 30% decrease.
