(Image Credit: IMAGN)
San Diego, California – San Diego continues to rank among the safest large cities in the United States, as crime dropped for the third straight year in 2024, according to new data released Tuesday by the San Diego Police Department (SDPD).
Police Chief Scott Wahl and Mayor Todd Gloria held a press conference to highlight the city’s annual crime statistics, emphasizing the progress made in reducing both violent and property-related crimes.
Overall, crime in San Diego fell by 1.5% in 2024, following a 2.7% decline in 2023. According to SDPD, more than 70% of all recorded crimes saw decreases.
Key highlights from the 2024 report include:
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Homicides dropped by 22% compared to 2023.
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Sexual assaults and robberies decreased by nearly 11%.
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Motor vehicle thefts declined by 19.5%, a reduction police attribute in part to expanded use of automated license plate reader technology.
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Hate crime reports fell by 9%.
“This is the third year in a row we’ve seen crime go down — an achievement that reflects the dedication of our officers, the strength of our community partnerships, and the strategic use of technology,” said Chief Wahl. “To those considering doing harm in our city, let me be clear: Criminal behavior will not be tolerated in San Diego.”
However, not all crime categories improved. The department reported increases in:
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Kidnapping and abduction cases, which rose by 17%.
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Drug and narcotic violations, which climbed nearly 20% over the previous year.
Despite those increases, city officials say the broader trend is encouraging and credit the continued decline to coordinated policing strategies, community engagement, and technology-driven enforcement.
Mayor Gloria praised the department’s efforts, stating, “These results show that our investments in public safety and community outreach are paying off. We will continue to work together to build a safer San Diego for all.”
