Houston homicides fell in 2024, prelim data shows
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Homicides in Houston fell by 9% from 2023 to 2024, according to preliminary data.
Why it matters: While homicides decreased in Houston, other violent crime increased in 2024, according to the data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA).
- The data suggests the nationwide COVID-era crime wave nearly evaporated during former President Biden's final year in office.
Zoom in: Houston police reported 322 homicides in 2024, down about 9% from 354 in 2023, according to the association.
- Those numbers include cases classified by police as murder and both negligent and non-negligent manslaughter. Houston police separately reported eight additional deaths in 2024 that were ruled "justifiable homicide."
- Robberies in Houston also fell 6.6% in the same time frame.
Yes, but: Rape and aggravated assault cases each increased 9% from 2023 to 2024.
- Houston police, in a presentation this month to the City Council's public safety committee, reported a 4.5% overall increase in violent crime from 2023 to 2024.
- Nonviolent crime was down 6.5%, according to the department.
Between the lines: Mayor John Whitmire has focused on public safety during his first year in office in 2024.
- Whitmire this month released an evaluation from a consulting firm showing Houstonians experienced higher rates of violent and property crimes than similar-size U.S. cities.
- The firm recommended the city invest more in license plate reader technology and data analytics as a crime-fighting tool.
What they're saying: "We have a lot of work to do, but we are headed in the right direction," Whitmire said in a statement to Axios. He also praised the work of Chief J. Noe Diaz, whom Whitmire appointed to lead HPD in August.
- "He is at the forefront of utilizing modern police techniques, using drones and helicopters and collaborating with area law enforcement to fight crime," Whitmire said.
- "We have seen positive results, and we will continue with coverage for as long as needed."
The big picture: Many cities had significantly larger declines in homicides. They dropped 35% in Boston and New Orleans; 26% in Cleveland and Dallas; 34% in Philadelphia; and 32% in Washington, D.C.
- The data from cities didn't include New York, the nation's largest city, which didn't submit crime numbers. The city releases crime stats on its own website and has reported declining crime in 2024.