As Mayor Cherelle Parker focuses on public safety, Philadelphia has experienced a 37% year-over-year decline in homicides, according to criminal justice consulting firm AH Datalytics.

Why it matters: The number of homicides in major American cities is falling at its quickest pace in decades following huge jumps during the pandemic, Axios' Russell Contreras writes.

• The nation is on track to see one of the lowest levels of violent crimes and homicides since President Obama was in office.

The big picture: Polls show crime is a top concern ahead of the 2024 election — and it's an issue where Republicans regularly edge Democrats.

• But falling homicide rates could take the steam out of the crucial GOP advantage.

By the numbers: Homicides declined by nearly 20% in 204 cities during the first three months of 2024 compared to the same period last year, per AH Datalytics.

• At this pace, the murder rate in the U.S. could match its level in 2014 when many cities saw 30-year lows in violent crime and homicides.
• The big decline in homicides, as calculated by AH Datalytics, was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

State of play: Homicides, shootings and gun arrests have been up in Philadelphia since 2015, with sharp increases during the pandemic, police say.

• Police commissioner Kevin Bethel said in a recent 100-day report that the department is deploying a "pinpoint" strategy to target violent crime in 10 police districts that accounted for more than three-quarters of the city's shootings last year.
• Violent hotspots include Kensington and Allegheny avenues, Lehigh Avenue and Broad Street and 52nd and Market streets, per police.

What they're saying: Kalfani Turè, a criminal justice professor at Widener University, tells Axios that Philly's recent downward crime trend is promising but could "simply be an aberration" unless accompanied by sustained reductions over several years.

• Philadelphia experienced a 46% increase in homicides between 2019-2022, peaking at 562 in 2021, before departing from that trend last year.
• Turè says the reduction could suggest police officers "are more engaged again" in efforts to reduce crime after finding themselves under siege because of civil unrest during the pandemic.

Bethel's goal is to cut in half the number of homicides and shootings by 2025.

• He hopes to reduce shootings and homicides this year by 20%, or to 328 homicides and 1,328 shootings.

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Philadelphia is one of five cities being considered for an expansion WNBA team, per reports.

Why it matters: Adding another team into the fold would be a major coup for one of the nation's biggest sports towns, which hasn't had a professional women's team since the late 1990s when native Dawn Staley played for the American Basketball League's Philadelphia Rage.

Driving the news: Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said during the WNBA draft that Philly could be a destination as the league looks to expand to 16 teams by 2028, per USA Today.

• Denver, Toronto, Nashville and South Florida are also on the shortlist for expansions. The league will add a 13th team in San Francisco in 2025.

The intrigue: Iowa's Caitlin Clark, drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever, and Staley have helped grow the sport's popularity.

• The South Carolina Gamecocks capped a perfect season by defeating the Hawkeyes in a women's championship game that drew a bigger television audience for the first time than the men's final.

What they're saying

🏫 The Philly school district will permanently end the controversial policy of "leveling." Parents, students and staff have condemned the policy for years, which reassigns and moves teachers to different schools based on district enrollment changes. (NBC)

☀️ Spring is in the air, so restaurants are opening their rooftops and patios. Soak up the sun or enjoy a warm night outside at El Techo in Center City, Martha in Kensington, Booker's in West Philly or other spots throughout the city. (Philly Magazine)

🚨 An arrest warrant has been issued for state Rep. Kevin Boyle over violating a protection from abuse order, police said yesterday.

• The Democrat from Northeast Philly, who is running in next week's primary against a challenger, was caught on video in February berating staff and guests at a regional bar. (FOX)

The state's top legal officer is on next week's ballot.

Why it matters: The Pennsylvania attorney general prosecutes crime and corruption, and the office has been a launchpad to running for governor.

State of play: Five Democrats and a pair of Republicans are running in their respective primaries on Tuesday.

• Current Attorney General Michelle Henry, a Democrat appointed by Gov. Josh Shapiro in 2022, isn't running for the office.

The big picture: Tuesday's election will feature presidential and congressional primaries.

• Other statewide offices on the ballot include auditor general and state treasurer, and those for all state representatives and some senators.

Who's running?

Democrats

• Keir Bradford-Grey: Philly's former chief public defender who, if elected, would become the state's first Black attorney general.
• Eugene DePasquale: A former state House lawmaker and auditor general.
• Joe Khan: A former Bucks County solicitor and Philly prosecutor.
• Jack Stollsteimer: A former Delaware County and federal prosecutor.
• Jared Solomon: A state representative from Northeast Philly and member of the National Guard.

Republicans

• Dave Sunday: A U.S. Navy veteran and York County district attorney.
• Craig Williams: A U.S. Marine veteran and state representative for parts of Delaware and Chester counties.

How it works: The attorney general's office, among the most powerful positions in the state, is responsible for enforcing state, consumer protection and antitrust laws.

The intrigue: State Democrats have not endorsed a candidate in the race.

Meanwhile, state Republicans have endorsed Dave Sunday.

What's next: The primary winners will go head-to-head in the November general election.

Read more about each candidate's top issues