Violent and property crime both declined in Fresno during the first six months of 2026 compared with the same period last year, while traffic fatalities also dropped, according to midyear statistics released Thursday by the Fresno Police Department.

Police reported a 5% decrease in total violent crime and a 4% decrease in total property crime between Jan. 1 and June 30 compared with the first half of 2025.

Commercial burglaries saw one of the largest declines, falling 32% from the same period last year.

Traffic safety also improved, with traffic-related fatalities down 23% from the first six months of 2025. Police attributed the decline to increased traffic enforcement, community outreach, driver safety operations and partnerships aimed at reducing dangerous driving.

During the first half of the year, Fresno police recovered 673 evidence guns, issued 20,724 citations and made 1,153 DUI arrests.

The department also received 178,909 emergency 911 calls and 394,787 non-emergency calls.

Fresno Records 2 More Homicides

Despite the overall reduction in crime, Police Chief Mindy Casto said the city has recorded two more homicides this year than during the same period in 2025.

Casto said the department currently has a 100% homicide clearance rate because of arrests made in multiple 2026 investigations and previous-year cases. She added that several 2026 homicide investigations have arrestable suspects or promising leads.

“We currently have a 100% clearance rate for homicides this year, due to arrests being made in multiple 2026 investigations and prior year cases. Several of our 2026 murder cases have arrestable suspects or promising leads for solving them,” Casto said.

She credited the department’s enforcement strategies, community engagement, and data-driven policing for the reductions in crime and thanked residents for their continued cooperation.

“While we are encouraged by the progress reflected in these numbers, our work is far from done. We will continue to prioritize safety, accountability, and strong partnerships as we move forward through the rest of 2026,” Casto said.

California Homicide Rate Falls

California’s homicide rate fell to 3.5 per 100,000 people in 2025, the lowest level on record since 1966, according to statistics released Wednesday by the attorney general’s office.

Officials said the decline reflects a broader national drop in homicides that has pushed rates to historic lows in major cities following a pandemic-era spike, CalMatters reported.

—

Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email.