Birmingham homicides dropped to shocking 10-year low in 2025: ‘Every number is a person’
Birmingham Sees Historic Drop in Homicides in 2025
For the first time in a decade, Birmingham recorded fewer than 100 homicides in 2025, with 88 deaths compared to a record-high 152 in 2024. This significant decline of 44% marks a striking trend amid a nationwide drop in crime, according to experts. Leading crime analyst Jeff Asher noted a historic decrease in reported crimes, particularly homicides, across the country, with Birmingham surpassing national averages.
Police Chief Michael Pickett praised the city’s efforts, detailing that while other cities experienced reductions of 25-30%, Birmingham maintained a consistent decrease of around 50% for most of the year. The previous low of under 100 homicides occurred in 2015, and the city has seen an overall rise from 2016 to 2024 before this year’s turnaround.
Despite the positive statistics, Mayor Randall Woodfin cautioned against complacency, emphasizing that every homicide represents a community tragedy. Among the total homicides, there were various classifications, including justified cases and domestic violence incidents.
Birmingham not only reduced homicides but also achieved a historic clearance rate of 87.3% for those cases. With nearly 300 new officers joining the force, the department is focused on maintaining this downward trend and rebuilding community trust through proactive policing and strategic engagement. Pickett remains committed to preventing future violence while ensuring community safety and support.
Read the complete article here: https://www.al.com/crime/2026/01/birmingham-homicides-dropped-to-shocking-10-year-low-in-2025-every-number-is-a-person.html
