Has crime in Tucson increased significantly in recent years?
By Carmela Guaglianone
View this fact brief on Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
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NO
Though the number of incidents reported so far in 2024 is up by 3% over the same time last year, overall crime rates in Tucson have dropped by 7.4% on average over the past five years.
The Tucson Police Department’s 2023 annual crime trend report, the most recent available, indicates that counts of nearly every type of crime—including homicide, robbery and sexual assault—decreased compared to the previous year and fell below the five-year average. The department has credited improved gun violence detection technology, faster response times and improved staffing as contributing factors.
Arizona’s overall crime rate also fell in 2023 compared to the year prior. Federal data suggests that the decrease is on trend with the rest of the nation.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Arizona Department of Public Safety Arizona Crime Statistics 2023
Tucson Police Department Reported Crimes
Tucson Police Department 2023 Annual Report
Federal Bureau of Investigation Quarterly Uniform Crime Report
Tucson Sentinel Despite what some politicians say, crime rates are decreasing
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