Detroit, Michigan – Through the third quarter of 2025, violent crime in Detroit is dropping at a rapid pace, even lower than it was in 2024, which was a record low. City officials say that this progress is due to a combination of better collaboration between law enforcement, greater community violence intervention programs, and additional support from the state and federal governments.
As of September 30, the city had 132 homicides, down from 155 during the same time previous year and significantly below the historic year-end total of 203 in 2024, the fewest since 1965. The data was announced by Mayor Mike Duggan and Police Chief Todd Bettison. There has also been a big drop in nonfatal shootings and carjackings, which is part of a steady declining trend in many areas.
Chief Bettison said that the police and prosecutors working together closely has been a big part of this achievement. Putting assistant county and federal prosecutors in precincts has made case evaluations easier and improved the quality of the evidence that is supplied. Because of this, the rate of closing nonfatal shooting cases in Detroit went above 70% in 2024, and that trend has continued into 2025.
The city’s Community Violence Intervention (CVI) network has also grown. This year, two new groups, Live In Peace and Team Pursuit, joined the effort, bringing the total number of CVI zones to seven. These zones use mediation, conflict interruption, and outreach to focus on places with significant levels of risk. Ceasefire Detroit has been working since 2013, and now it is focusing on a 4.5-mile area on the city’s northwest side. Detroit wants to grow its CVI presence by more than 50% in the next few months with additional funding from Michigan’s Public Safety Trust Fund.
Wayne County has been a big part of keeping these advances going. County Executive Warren Evans and Prosecutor Kym Worthy were in charge of contracts that improved the salary of deputies and prosecutors, which helped fill positions that had been open for a long time. Courts have cleared thousands of gun cases that were still open. The 3rd Circuit Court removed more than 3,000 cases, and the 36th District Court cleared 1,700. This sped up justice for victims and cut down on backlogs.
Under U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon, whose office focused on prosecuting gangs and guns, federal cooperation have grown stronger. In August, the DEA and Detroit Police worked together to search suspected gang facilities and take 44 illicit guns. The Michigan State Police and the Department of Corrections have also stepped up their efforts to make sure that people on parole and probation follow the rules. This has led to more firearms being taken off the streets.
According to Mayor Duggan, these outcomes show how strong partnerships are between the community and all levels of government.
“We still have three months left in this year, however the partnerships and strategies we’ve implemented continue only are becoming more effective,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “I am confident that by the end of this year, we will have another historic reduction.”
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