The Weekly Briefing 🇺🇸
Violence Drops Across Cities
Violent crime continued its downward trend in the first quarter of 2026 across 67 major U.S. cities, according to preliminary data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association. Compared to the same period in 2025, homicides fell 17.7%, robberies dropped 20.4%, rape decreased 7.2%, and aggravated assault declined 4.8%. Notable declines include Houston homicides down from 77 to 49, Philadelphia homicides down from 50 to 23, Washington D.C. homicides down from 34 to 12, and Memphis robberies cut nearly in half. Oakland showed significant improvement with homicides dropping from 86 to 67 and robberies falling from 2,922 to 1,674. A handful of cities bucked the trend — Charlotte homicides rose from 16 to 22, and New Orleans aggravated assaults jumped from 252 to 372. Canadian cities also saw broad declines, with homicides down 22.4% and robberies down 16.4% across nine responding agencies. 📉 MCCA report here
Crime Fears Versus Data
Americans’ perceptions of crime frequently diverge from actual crime trends, with roughly 69% of survey respondents on average saying crime was higher than the year before from 2005 to 2024 — despite overall crime rates falling in most of those years — according to a new report from the Council on Criminal Justice analyzed by Stateline. Fear of crime has remained remarkably stable over decades, with 35% of Americans in 2024 saying they were afraid to walk alone at night — the same percentage as in 1968. The report found that personal victimization and property crime experiences were stronger predictors of fear than actual violent crime rates, and that economic optimism was closely tied to reduced crime concern. Political ideology showed a more limited effect than expected, with economic conditions proving a stronger driver of crime perception than party affiliation. 🔗 More here
Chief Rejects Chase Restrictions
Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman has declined to implement pursuit policy changes recommended by the city’s Fire and Police Commission, which sought to prohibit officers from chasing suspects for reckless driving observed after a traffic stop and to end pursuits that increase danger to the public, according to WISN 12. Norman said the department is not inclined to revise its current policy, citing ongoing evaluation that incorporates national best practices, community feedback, and review of comparable cities. The recommendations came after a deadly 2025 in which nine people were killed in police chases — four in pursuits that began as reckless driving stops. The Milwaukee Common Council could force the changes if requested by the commission. 🚓 More here
Mayor Backs Chief’s Second Term
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced Thursday he is nominating Police Chief Brian O’Hara for a second term, citing crime reductions, increased officer recruitment, and leadership through multiple crises — but the nomination faces an uncertain path through a divided city council, according to MPR News. O’Hara took the job in 2022 amid significant departmental turmoil following the murder of George Floyd, a depleted force of roughly 500 officer resignations, and low public trust. Frey argued that removing O’Hara now would “unravel” progress made, warning that a failed confirmation could mean more than a year of uncertainty and lost momentum. Some council members have raised concerns about the department going more than $19 million over budget in 2025, largely driven by overtime costs. O’Hara said he is “fully committed to continuing to do this work” and wants to keep growing the department if confirmed. 🔗 More here
Fixation on Crime Stats
An internal affairs investigation into crime data manipulation at the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department found no evidence that former Chief Pamela Smith directly ordered crime reports to be altered, but concluded that her leadership style significantly contributed to a culture in which officers felt compelled to misclassify crimes, according to NBC4 Washington. Investigators found that Smith’s “fixation on crime stats” and treatment of subordinates — including public humiliations and retaliatory transfers — created conditions where officers knowingly engaged in improper data practices. Thirteen top MPD officials have been placed on leave and served with termination papers. Smith stepped down in December and denied any wrongdoing in her farewell address. 📈 More here
Finalists for Honolulu Chief
The Honolulu Police Commission has named three finalists to lead the Honolulu Police Department: Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement Director Mike Lambert, Glynn County (Georgia) Police Chief Scott Ebner, and retired San Francisco Assistant Chief David Lazar, according to Honolulu Civil Beat. The department has been without a permanent chief since Joe Logan retired under pressure last June. Lambert, a 21-year HPD veteran, is seeking to return to the department due to a retirement benefit issue tied to his current state role. Ebner is a former New Jersey State Police lieutenant colonel who has been appointed to lead departments across the country. Lazar served with the San Francisco Police Department for more than three decades. A public forum is scheduled for May 14 and the commission will make its final selection May 20. 🌺 More here
Police Week 2026 Begins
Alien Smuggling Operation
A 24-year-old Mexican national living illegally in Kansas City pleaded guilty to leading an alien smuggling organization that moved hundreds of migrants from Mexico, Central America, and South America into the United States through the Canadian border, according to the National Post. Edgar Sanchez-Solis pleaded guilty to conspiracy and five counts of alien smuggling for financial gain and faces between five and 15 years in prison at his September sentencing. Court documents show the operation charged migrants thousands of dollars each and repeatedly endangered the public through high-speed chases with law enforcement. Three co-defendants from Kansas, Georgia, and Ohio were also charged in the case. 🔗 More here
Banning Armed Police Robots
A New York City council member has introduced legislation dubbed the “Asimov Act” that would prohibit the NYPD from deploying armed robots, according to USA Today. The bill comes as law enforcement agencies across the country increasingly experiment with robotic technology — including a 400-pound autonomous robot already operating in New York’s transit system. Police departments have long used robots for bomb disposal and surveillance, with newer models capable of autonomous patrol, real-time data collection, and information relay. The legislation aims to establish clear boundaries on the use of such technology before it advances further, with the council member framing it as a proactive step to ensure public safety keeps pace with innovation. 🤖 More here