Salt Lake City homicides drop while violent crime climbs in 2025
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Homicides in Salt Lake City dipped slightly in the first half of the year, while violent crimes including rape, aggravated assault and robbery rose, according to new data from an organization of law enforcement executives.
Why it matters: The modest drop in homicides is clouded by rising rates of other violent crimes, signaling persistent public safety challenges in Utah's capital.
By the numbers: Homicides in Salt Lake City fell to five in the first half of 2025 from seven during the same period in 2024, according to stats compiled by the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA).
- Rape saw a 24% uptick, from 121 to 150.
- Aggravated assault jumped 9% from 436 to 475.
- Robberies crept up marginally, from 173 to 179.
The Salt Lake City Police Department did not immediately provide comment.
Catch up quick: The data comes after Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall in January released a public safety plan under pressure from state Republican leaders.
- In June, the Salt Lake City Council approved the police department's 12.5% year-over-year budget increase request for the 2026 fiscal year to support wage bumps and investments in crime-solving technology.
- Last month, Salt Lake City police chief Brian Redd acknowledged ongoing concerns about violent crime, saying it was associated with the disruption of local drug networks.
The big picture: Reports from 68 law enforcement agencies around the country showed a 19% drop in homicides in the first six months of 2025 compared with the same time last year, per MCCA data.
- Homicides declined in major U.S. cities — by more than 50% in some communities, including Denver, Honolulu, Orlando, Florida, Portland and Tampa, per an Axios analysis of the figures.
Nationally, other violent crimes appear to be falling in every category.
- Rape was down 9%, robbery decreased 18% and aggravated assaults fell 10%.
Yes, but: Some communities saw a jump in homicides during this period.
- Boston experienced a 143% surge in homicides during the first six months of 2025.
- Cincinnati, El Paso, Fort Worth, Milwaukee and Kansas City, Missouri, also saw increases, the Axios analysis found.
Zoom out: The quarterly reports from MCCA are typically a good measure of trends reflected in the annual FBI crime data released a year later.