Crime rates in California and several of the Bay Area’s major cities saw a notable decline in 2024, following a period of increased crime during the pandemic. This shift contributed to the statewide approval of Proposition 36 last fall, a ballot measure aimed at strengthening penalties for drug and property crimes. Additionally, it enabled the appointment of new prosecutors in cities such as Oakland and Los Angeles, who vowed to adopt a tougher stance on law enforcement.
In the Bay Area, Oakland and San Francisco reported significant reductions in overall crime rates compared to the previous year. However, Oakland’s overall crime rate still remained approximately double San Francisco’s and three times that of San Jose. Notably, violent crime in Oakland continued to rise, even as property crime rates declined.
In San Jose, crime rates increased in measurable terms from 2023 to 2024, returning to levels similar to those of 2022.
As an example, Tuan Nguyen, a restaurant owner in Oakland, decided to close Phở Vy, a family-run establishment, citing safety concerns. “There’s more sex work in the area now,” Nguyen remarked. “We’re a family-oriented place, and that pushes families away. And then there are the car break-ins. Even my own car’s been hit. Customers come in and can’t enjoy their meal because they’re constantly worried about their vehicles.”
Statewide, the overall crime rate per 100,000 people dropped by approximately 8% in 2024 compared to 2023. The violent crime rate also fell by 6%, reaching levels that the Attorney General’s Office reported as being less than half of the state’s historic high recorded in 1992. Furthermore, the property crime rate was 8.4% lower than in the previous year.
Attorney General Rob Bonta stated, “While crime rates have declined over the past year, public safety in our communities remains priorities one, two, and three. The statistics reported today in the California Department of Justice’s annual crime reports are a critical part of understanding where we are, regulating our response, and ensuring policymakers and law enforcement have the tools they need to make informed decisions that keep millions of Californians safe.”
An analysis of 20 years of crime data by the Bay Area News Group reveals that Oakland’s reported crime rate per 100,000 people has consistently exceeded that of San Francisco and San Jose. Various statistics show significant findings for Oakland’s crime situation in 2024.
Although Oakland’s overall crime rate decreased by 15% from 2023, it remains 40% higher than in 2020, 6% above the rate in 2013, and 27% higher than in 2003. The violent crime rate has surged by 48% since 2020 and has increased by 35% since 2003. Despite a decrease in property crimes following a spike in 2023, these offenses remain 39% above 2020 levels and 26% higher than in 2003.
In contrast, San Francisco experienced a dramatic decline, with the overall crime rate decreasing by 17% from 2020 and standing 26% lower than it was in 2003. The city’s violent crime rate has been relatively unchanged since 2020 but remains 26% lower than that recorded in 2003. Property crime in San Francisco declined by 19% from 2020 and is 27% lower than the figure from 2003.
San Jose, however, reported an overall crime rate in 2024 that was 27% higher than its reported rate for 2023, a year where data was deemed incomplete by the justice department. The 2024 crime rate is also up by 8% since 2020 and 11% from 2003. San Jose’s violent crime rate is 33% higher than in 2020 and 52% above the rate from 2003, though it aligns more closely with San Francisco’s figures and remains far below those of Oakland. The property crime rate in San Jose is 4% higher than in 2020 and 5% above 2003 figures.
Last year, the Oakland Police Department reported that it had provided incorrect crime data for 2023 to the California Department of Justice, attributing the error to “human error.” The 2024 report from the state includes a note indicating that Oakland Police recognized certain reporting discrepancies in their 2023 statistical data after the DOJ released its annual reports. The report advises caution when comparing data between years and references updated figures available on Oakland Police Department’s website. The Bay Area News Group analysis utilized the revised 2023 data from the Oakland Police.
The issue of crime in California emerged as a central topic leading up to last year’s elections. Growing frustration among voters with visual media coverage of vandalism and thefts occurring in urban centers contributed to widespread approval of Proposition 36. This measure aimed to impose stricter penalties for specific offenses that had been relaxed in a prior ballot initiative, Proposition 47, which passed a decade earlier.
Voter sentiment also led to significant political shifts, including the replacement of Los Angeles County’s progressive District Attorney George Gascon with Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor who advocated for stricter law enforcement measures. In Alameda County, progressive District Attorney Pamela Price faced a recall vote from constituents.
Similarly, Oakland voters recalled Mayor Sheng Thao due to alleged corruption charges, installing former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee in her place. Meanwhile, Mayor Matt Mahan was reelected in San Jose.
Responses from police departments highlight ongoing community engagement efforts.
San Francisco Police Department spokesperson Robert Rueca stated that the city’s police work closely with community leaders to address safety concerns while collaborating with other city agencies to effectively tackle crime. “We attribute these crime rates to all the work our police officers and professional staff do daily to hold those accountable for their actions by investigating every crime,” Rueca added.
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