Violent and property crime rates in the United States saw a decline in 2023, according to new FBI data released Monday.

However, hate crimes reached record levels in some of the nation’s largest cities, painting a complex picture of crime trends across the country.

The FBI report, which covered over 16,000 law enforcement agencies representing 94.3% of the U.S. population, revealed a 3% decrease in violent crime compared to 2022. The violent crime rate dropped to 363.8 per 100,000 residents, down from 377.1 in the previous year.

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“Murder and non-negligent manslaughter decreased 11.6% in 2023 compared to the previous year,” the report stated, highlighting a significant reduction in the most serious violent crimes.

Property crime rates also saw a decline, falling to 1,916.7 per 100,000 residents in 2023 from 1,973.8 in 2022. Aggravated assault numbers dropped by an estimated 2.8%.

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However, the data wasn’t all positive. Auto thefts surged by 13% nationwide, reflecting ongoing challenges in major urban areas.

While overall crime trends show improvement, hate crimes remain a growing concern. The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, found that hate crimes hit record levels in 10 of the nation’s largest cities, rising by 16% in 2023.

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“Anti-Jewish hate crimes reported to police across 20 major cities in 2023 rose 48% to a new record,” the center reported. Additionally, anti-Muslim crimes increased by 51%, with significant spikes observed following the escalation of conflict in Israel and Gaza in October 2023.

These conflicting trends have fueled ongoing debates about public safety and law enforcement effectiveness, particularly as the 2024 presidential race heats up. While some politicians argue that crime continues to rise, multiple studies and reports indicate an overall decrease since the pandemic-era highs.

Read more at Axios.