In 2024, El Salvador had a homicide rate of 1.9 per 100,000 people, making it the safest country in the Western Hemisphere, notes El Salvador in English. This is a 98% decrease from 2015, when the murder rate was 103 per 100,000.
Factors contributing to the decline
A crackdown on gangs by the Bukele administration, which included a state of emergency that suspended some constitutional rights
Negotiations with the country's three largest gangs, which offered prison privileges and employment opportunities in exchange for lowering the homicide rate
"Crackdown on gangs"
"Suspected some constitutional rights"
"Negotiation"
Why does this sound familiar.
Hold on I think trumps doing a El Salvador
But ... In 2024, overall US crime rates, including violent and property crimes, saw a significant decline compared to the previous years, particularly in the first half of the year. However, some types of crime, like carjackings and shoplifting, showed increases, while others, like homicides, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, experienced decreases.
Key Trends in 2024:
Violent Crime: Generally declined, with many types returning to pre-pandemic levels.
Homicides: Experienced a significant decrease, falling below pre-pandemic levels.
Rape, Robbery, and Aggravated Assault: These crimes also saw declines in the first half of 2024.
Property Crime: Overall, property crime declined, but motor vehicle thefts increased.
Carjackings: Carjackings saw a notable increase in the first half of 2024.
Shoplifting: Increased slightly compared to 2019, according to some reports.
Specific Examples:
The Council on Criminal Justice reported a 13% decrease in homicides in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
The FBI reported a 15.2% decrease in violent crime in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with murder decreasing by 26.4%.
SafeHome.org noted that motor vehicle thefts increased by 11% nationwide, while other property crimes like burglary and larceny decreased.
Perception vs. Reality:
While crime rates generally declined in 2024, public perception often diverges from the data. Many Americans believe crime is increasing, despite evidence showing a decrease in many types of crime, according to the Pew Research Center.
So
Let's check 2025 so far