Fresno police officials announced Tuesday that the city recorded a 51-year low in homicides in 2025, while also seeing reductions in gang-related violence, shootings, and property crime.

The city had 22 homicides in 2025, bettering the last previous five-decade low of 23 in 1974. Police Chief Mindy Casto noted that Fresno’s population has more than doubled since the 1970s.

“This is not about the numbers, it is about the people and the families that didn’t have to deal with the tragedy in our city this year,” Casto said.

Fresno had 30 homicides in 2024.

Putting Fresno’s diminishing homicide rate in perspective: In 1993, when Fresno’s population was about 390,000, the city had 87 murders. Its population now is about 552,000.

The department attributed much of the declines to fewer gang-related homicides, which fell from 22 to nine in 2025. Police reported a 105% homicide clearance rate, known as the solve rate, including cases solved from previous years. Casto said the national average clearance rate is about 60%.

Modesto Homicide Rate Hits Zero

Another Central Valley city, Modesto, reported an even lower figure. State Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil, R-Jackson, announced that the city recorded zero criminal homicides in 2025.

The statement said that this was the first time in at least 40 years that Modesto has gone a full year without a single murder.

“This is a monumental victory for public safety and a testament to what dedicated leadership and community partnership can accomplish,” added Senator Alvarado-Gil.

Modesto saw 7 homicides in 2024. Modesto is about half the size of Fresno in population.

Fresno Police File the Most Cases to Fresno County DA

Police also reported a 95% rate of filing cases to the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office. District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp said more than 50% of her office’s cases originate from the Fresno Police Department.

Non-fatal shootings dropped 78% since 2020 (732 shootings), with 162 reported in 2025, down from 221 in 2024. Shootings that struck a person declined 29%, from 107 in 2024 to 70 in 2025. Casto said detectives respond to every shooting.

Police said their partnership with the Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium has led to an 85% reduction in gang-related shootings since 2020.

The department said officers recovered 1,502 guns in 2025. Three officers were shot in the line of duty, and 381 officers were assaulted during the year.

2025 Traffic Statistics

Pedestrian deaths increased and surpassed homicides in 2025. Police reported 28 pedestrian fatalities, up from 26 in 2024. Casto said most of those deaths involved people illegally in the roadway or intoxicated.

Traffic fatalities declined from 54 in 2024 to 45 in 2025, a 17% reduction. Traffic citations increased 17%, from 34,340 in 2024 to 40,332 in 2025. DUI arrests rose from 2,284 in 2024 to 2,449 in 2025.

Overall violent crime decreased 5%, according to police. Robbery fell 7%, aggravated assault declined 5%, and murder dropped 27%, while reported rape increased 2%.

Property crime also declined, with commercial burglary down 6%, residential burglary down 16%, larceny down 21% and vehicle burglary down 27%. Motor vehicle theft fell 34%, with 1,250 fewer vehicles reported stolen. Total property crime decreased 24%.

Mayor Jerry Dyer noted that Fresno was once commonly called the car theft capital of America.

Organized Retail Theft

Police reported recovering $1.2 million in stolen goods tied to organized retail theft, with 659 arrests and more than 200 warrants issued. The department conducted 21 blitz operations targeting high-crime areas.

The department reported 853 filled positions, or 92% staffing, with 77 vacancies. Community engagement efforts increased, with officers attending 2,195 community events in 2025, up from 1,398 in 2024.

Dyer and Casto said technology has played a significant role in the department’s improved efficiency. For example, three drone systems were added to monitor parts of the city. Two systems were purchased through an organized retail theft grant, and one was acquired through donations.

“What is the return on investment for the resources?” Dyer said. “I hope you can see today there’s been a tremendous return on investment and that’s why we will continue to invest in our public safety departments whether it’s police or fire.”

Dyer said the city is entering budget discussions and emphasized that public safety remains his top priority.

Expanding the Fresno Police Department

Dyer said the city plans to expand public safety infrastructure in the coming year, including construction of a new 911 communications center and a new police headquarters, along with added technology, support staff and additional police officers aimed at improving safety for residents.

Dyer also thanked the Fresno City Council for its continued support of police and public safety funding, saying council members have consistently backed his budget requests.

He credited Smittcamp, Casto, and the department’s leadership team, as well as the men and women of the Fresno Police Department, for their dedication and ongoing work to keep the city safe.

Related Story: Will Fresno Police Get a New Larger Headquarters?

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