Violent crime rates plunge in America's big cities

Data: Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA); Chart: Russell Contreras/AxiosViolent crime fell sharply across the largest U.S. cities in early 2026, extending a nationwide decline that began after the pandemic-era crime spike.Why it matters: Data from 67 major U.S. law enforcement agencies show violent crime fell across major categories during the first quarter compared with the same period in 2025.The declines show up across every major region, suggesting a systemic, nationwide trend.The quarte...