🚨 California, the most populous state in the U.S., has experienced a slight uptick in violent crime over the past year. According to a new survey by the Public Policy Institute of California, the overall violent crime rate increased by 1.7%, climbing from 495 crimes per 100,000 residents in 2022 to 503 in 2023.
The report highlights that California's violent crime rate is still up by a significant 15.4% compared to 2019, the year before the pandemic hit. 😷
Homicides took a sharp rise during the early pandemic years, jumping by 42.5% between 2019 and 2021. Although there's been an 18.9% decrease since 2021, the homicide rate remains 15.5% higher than in 2019.
Aggravated assaults involving guns also surged by 54.3% and 65.7% between 2019 and 2021. While these rates have since declined by 19.6% and 53.9% respectively, they still hover well above pre-pandemic levels. Firearm-involved robberies are up by 11.5% in 2023 compared to 2019, though the proportion of robberies involving firearms has decreased from 23.6% to 20.5%. 🔫
On a brighter note, property crime in California saw a slight decrease, with the 2023 rate at 2,294 per 100,000 residents—down by 0.8% from 2022 and 0.3% below the 2019 level. Larceny thefts accounted for 63% of all property crimes, followed by auto thefts at 22% and burglaries at 15%.
The survey also revealed that 32 out of 58 counties in California saw an increase in violent crime in 2023, with seven counties experiencing crime rate hikes of 20% or more.
As California continues to navigate these challenges, staying informed and proactive is key for residents and communities. 🏠✨
