Syracuse's Crime Drop: What's Behind the Change?

Murders Plummet to Lowest in Over a Decade

Syracuse experienced a dramatic decrease in crime in 2025, with only 14 murders reported. This is the lowest number in over 10 years and a substantial decline from the peak during the COVID-19 pandemic, when there were 32 murders each in 2020 and 2021.

Crime Declines Across the Nation

Syracuse isn't the only city seeing a drop in crime. Other major cities also reported significant reductions:

• Baltimore: 61% drop in murders
• Philadelphia and Chicago: 50% decline each
• New York City: Tied its record for the longest stretch without a murder

What's Behind the Drop?

Police Chief Joseph Cecile isn't sure what's driving the decline. He believes it's not just good police work but something else socially different. Crime expert Ernesto Lopez agrees, suggesting there's a broader social shift at play.

Police Efforts and Community Programs

The Syracuse police are taking proactive measures:

• Increased Patrols: Officers are getting out of their cars and engaging with the community.
• High Solve Rates: Nearly all murder cases are being solved, which may be deterring potential criminals.

The city is also investing in community programs aimed at helping at-risk individuals. These programs offer:

• Mentoring
• Therapy
• Job assistance

Vehicle Thefts Also Decline

Car thefts have also decreased significantly:

• 2024: Over 1,200 cars stolen
• 2025: 797 cars stolen

The decline is even more pronounced for Kia and Hyundai models, which were previously easy targets. The companies have since addressed the issue, contributing to the drop in thefts.