After recent years of unprecedented levels of violence, city and law enforcement officials say they’ve seen a significant drop in reported homicides in Philadelphia so far this year.
As of April 30, there were 87 reported homicides in Philadelphia in 2024, down 35 percent from the same time last year, according to data from police.
“The last time in Philadelphia we had 87 homicides at this time of the year. The last time was 2016. That’s eight years ago,” Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said. “Well, right now, we are at a point where the number of homicides as compared to a few years ago is getting close to being cut in half.”
For Pastor Carl Day of Culture Changing Christians, helping to stop the violence in Philadelphia is part of his life’s work.
“We believe in building better men and businessmen. And that’s how we beat the blocks and get those men off the block and everything that comes with the culture of the block in Philly,” he said.
“Beat the Block,” Pastor Day’s transformative training program in the city’s Kensington neighborhood, recruits 40 men between the ages of 18 and 25 and pays them $2,000 each month over a four-month span to receive professional and personal development training.
“They go through poverty. You know so, my idea after spending years upon years going outside trying to just preach to people, convince them to do a thing, I said, ‘You know what? We need to respect them. Respect their dignity and pay them for their time,’” Day said. “We get them employed after 30 days and we take them through our curriculum which really helps them to unpack their mindsets and to change their lifestyles.”
Seeking Peace in Philly
Searching for solutions to Philadelphia's gun violence crisis
Pastor Day told NBC10 the work his program does is part of the community-based efforts that are helping to reduce Philadelphia’s homicide rate. He also acknowledged that more work needs to be done, however, as the weather gets warmer. In the past, violence has spiked in Philadelphia during the summer months, according to police.
“I mean, yeah, we are coming up on the summer, so I would like to caution people as far as like taking the victory laps right now,” Pastor Day said. “Communities and cities across America are showing the reasons as to why that help is needed, that help should still remain there so that for the foreseeable future we can continue to keep our communities together, close-knit and provide options and resources for our youth.”
FAQs
"The city has endured a lot over these last three or four years. It's exciting to come out of the start of 2024, seeing almost 38% reduction in our homicides and more importantly, almost 42% reduction in our shootings." The commissioner added there is a 50% decline in youth homicides.
How many murders in Philadelphia in 2024? ›
Data from the Philadelphia Police Department shows 109 homicides counted so far in 2024, a 38% drop from this time last year, and the lowest total for this point in the year since 2016. Shooting incidents are down 37% year-over-year, according to police, and shooting victims have dropped nearly 45%.
What is the crime rate in Philadelphia compared to other cities? ›
With a crime rate of 54 per one thousand residents, Philadelphia has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 19.
Is Philly a declining city? ›
While Philadelphia saw one of the sharpest population declines in the United States from 2022 to 2023, its four neighboring counties each grew, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released Thursday.
Is it safe to visit Philadelphia right now? ›
Is Philadelphia safe to visit right now? Yes! Philadelphia is a relatively safe city, especially in the tourist-friendly part of town. There are certain areas you should avoid due to their high crime rate, but most Philadelphia neighborhoods and tourist areas can be toured without experiencing danger.
What state has the most crime rates? ›
The Top 10 Most Dangerous States
| Rank | State | Violent Crime Rate per 1,000 Residents |
|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | 7.80 |
| 2 | Arkansas | 6.45 |
| 3 | Louisiana | 6.29 |
| 4 | Colorado | 4.92 |
6 more rowsMar 1, 2024
With an affordable cost of living and convenient amenities all around the city, Philly is a hotspot for families. However, the public school system in Philly overall is not among the best, and it can be challenging to ensure a good education for your children.
How many homicides are in Philadelphia each year? ›
Philadelphia Homicides 1960-2023
| YEAR | TOTAL | % BY ALL FIREARM |
|---|
| 2019 | 353 | Data Not Available |
| 2020 | 499 | Data Not Available |
| 2021 | 562 | Data Not Available |
| 2022 | 514 | Data Not Available |
61 more rowsJan 8, 2024
Public safety and crime rates in Philadelphia and New York City show significant differences. Philadelphia reports higher rates of violent and property crimes, as well as a more concerning crime index, compared to New York City.
What city in PA has the worst crime rate? ›
McKees Rocks is the most dangerous city in Pennsylvania. It is located in Allegheny County and has a population of almost 6,000 people. The city has a significantly higher rate of both violent and property crimes compared to the national average. Its crime rate is 63.29 incidents per 1000 people.
With an affordable cost of living and convenient amenities all around the city, Philly is a hotspot for families. However, the public school system in Philly overall is not among the best, and it can be challenging to ensure a good education for your children.
What is the crime status in Philadelphia? ›
In 2020, Trump's last full year in office, there were 15,329 violent crimes. The number of homicides in Philadelphia has also declined. In 2023, there were 410 murders, down from the previous two years. Pew also reported that the city's homicide rate per 100,000 residents was down from the previous year.
What is the safest city in Philadelphia? ›
- Pennypack Park. The safest neighborhood in Philadelphia is Pennypack Park. ...
- Bustleton. Bustleton is another one of the safest neighborhoods in Philly. ...
- Somerton. ...
- Chestnut Hill. ...
- Fox Chase. ...
- Wharton-Hawthorne-Bella Vista. ...
- Manayunk. ...
- University City.
A: Yes. There are several family-friendly neighborhoods that offer plenty of fun activities, such as Queen Village, Fitler Square, Germany Hill, Bella Vista, and Chestnut Hill. Q: What is the safest part of Philadelphia? A: Berwyn and Chesterbrook are considered to be the safest parts of Philly.
