Yes, violent crime is dropping across the U.S. — murders down 22%, assaults down 8%, property crime down 13%.
But the national trend hides local battlegrounds.
Some cities? They’re still bleeding.
St. Louis, MO — Old Scars, New Numbers
St. Louis leads the nation in violent crime per capita — about 2,082 per 100k. You’ve got a 1 in 70 shot of being a victim.
And while murders dropped to an 11-year low (150 in 2024), North City zones remain war-torn.
Carjackings, home invasions, and aggravated assaults are a weekly rhythm. The police are pulling in double shifts. It’s quieter than it was — but not quiet.
Memphis, TN — The Fire Still Burns
Memphis recorded 398 homicides in 2023, more than NYC. 2024 shows improvement — down 30% by midyear — but you wouldn’t call it safe.
It ranks bottom nationally in safety, economy, and health care access. DOJ investigations uncovered racial bias and excessive force in the department.
The Tyre Nichols killing wasn’t an outlier. It was a symptom.
Jackson, MS — Murder Capital of America
Three years running, Jackson has had the highest murder rate per capita in the U. S. — ~77 per 100k. That’s more than five times the national average.
Homicides dropped from 160 in 2021 to 111 last year, but police are understaffed, infrastructure is failing, and basic services are stretched thin.
The city built a crime center with CCTVs to compensate. But you can’t fix trust with cameras.
East St. Louis, IL — Small Town, Heavy Fire
Population: ~17,600. But don’t let the size fool you. It’s only safer than 12% of U.S. cities. Violent crime rate: 1 in 133.
Property crime: 1 in 52. Shootings and vehicle thefts dominate local reports. Still — progress. Homicides dropped from 36 in 2019 to 20 in 2024.
Nonfatal shootings down 52%. There’s grit in the recovery. But scars remain.
What It Means
These aren’t just stats. They’re conditions. Environments. Each city has its own war zone, rules, and survivors.
Crime is cooling nationally — but don’t let that fool you. Danger’s not gone. It’s just finding new places to live.
