Arizona Violent Crime Rose Slightly in First Half of 2026
State reports a 1% increase in violent offenses compared to the first six months of 2025.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Violence
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Data released by the Arizona Department of Public Safety shows the state recorded 13,670 violent crimes between January and June 2026. This figure marks a 1% increase from the 13,554 incidents reported during the same period in 2025.
Why it matters
While the total volume of violent crime rose, specific categories showed significant divergence, notably a major drop in homicides. Tracking these trends provides insight into public safety shifts across different municipalities in the state.
Official reports indicate 13,670 violent crimes occurred in the first half of 2026, compared to 13,554 in 2025. These figures are currently preliminary and subject to change prior to the final FBI Uniform Crime Reporting submission.
The players
Arizona Department of Public Safety
This state agency is responsible for law enforcement, highway patrol, and the collection of statewide criminal statistics.
The details
The report highlights mixed trends across regions, as Surprise saw a 44% increase in violent crime, while Glendale and Peoria experienced double-digit declines. Robberies fell by 3% across the state, but assaults rose by more than 4%.
Timeline
January through June 2025: 13,554 violent crimes were reported.
January through June 2026: 13,670 violent crimes were reported.
Legal Context
These trends are evaluated against the established benchmarks of the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting program. The current figures reflect a snapshot before final state data is integrated into that national repository.
Residents in cities like Surprise may notice changes in local security or police activity due to the reported spikes in crime. Conversely, communities seeing double-digit declines, such as Glendale and Peoria, may experience a shift in law enforcement priorities.
The takeaway
The decline in homicides alongside a general rise in violent crime highlights the importance of analyzing specific offense categories rather than aggregate totals. Residents are encouraged to review local crime reports to understand how these state-level shifts manifest in their specific neighborhoods.
Further reading
For more information on statewide safety trends, visit Violence.
Source note: This article includes information reported by abc15 Arizona.
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