If you thought California was all sunshine and beaches, think again. A new Public Policy Institute of California survey reveals the state’s violent crime rate rose by 1.7% last year, hitting 503 incidents per 100,000 residents. While the jump seems slight, it’s part of a bigger picture: violent crime is still 15.4% higher than pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
Guns, Homicides, and Post-Pandemic Shifts
Homicides spiked by 42.5% between 2019–2021 but dropped nearly 19% since 2021. Still, rates remain 15.5% above 2019. Gun-related crimes? Those surged during the pandemic, with homicides and assaults involving firearms up by 54.3% and 65.7%, respectively. While those rates have dipped, they’re still stubbornly higher than pre-COVID levels.
Property Crime: A Silver Lining?
Good news: Property crime dipped slightly (0.8%) in 2023, with auto thefts making up 22% of cases. But with 63% of property crimes being larceny, keep an eye on your belongings!
Regional Divide
Crime isn’t spread evenly. 32 of 58 counties saw violent crime rise last year, with seven counties experiencing spikes over 20%.
NewspaperAmigo – Your Global News Buddy 
A new Public Policy Institute of California survey reveals the state’s violent crime rate rose by 1.7% last year, hitting 503 incidents per 100,000 residents. While the jump seems slight, it’s part of a bigger picture: violent crime is still 15.4% higher than pre-pandemic 2019 levels. 
Those surged during the pandemic, with homicides and assaults involving firearms up by 54.3% and 65.7%, respectively. While those rates have dipped, they’re still stubbornly higher than pre-COVID levels.
U.S.-Canada Border Sees Spike in Illegal Goods…
