Source: Christian Science Monitor
by staff
“A decline in violent crime in many American cities is not just continuing, but accelerating. Data for the first half of this year showed a 22% drop in homicide deaths for Baltimore, compared with the same period in 2024. In Boston last year, homicides were down to their lowest number since 1957. Cities such as Detroit; Oakland, California; and San Antonio are on similar trajectories. Behind the turnaround is a mix of strategies that deliver a message of caring – and consequences. Evidence of a city’s care for residents can involve simple fixes, such as better street lighting or cleaned-up lots. Such measures encourage residents to venture outdoors, thus providing ‘eyes on the street,’ as the late urban theorist Jane Jacobs put it. Also key are community groups that offer summer youth programs, treatment for substance misuse, and mental health and job counseling.” (07/22/25)