Serious Crime Declined in Milwaukee

The city reported a four percent drop in serious offenses through September 2026 despite rising theft and burglary rates.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Property Crime

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Do you feel safer in your community compared to last year?

Milwaukee saw a four percent decrease in overall serious crime during the first nine months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. While homicides and fatal crashes fell, residents saw increases in thefts and burglaries.

Why it matters

The latest figures highlight a mixed public safety landscape as local officials balance decreases in violent crime with the rising frequency of property offenses. These data points inform ongoing discussions regarding city budget allocations for future police recruitment.

The Milwaukee Police Department reports an 88 percent clearance rate for homicides and a 53 percent rate for nonfatal shootings. These figures were released on October 14, 2026, as part of the department's quarterly assessment.

The players

Milwaukee Police Department

This agency is the primary law enforcement body responsible for tracking and reporting criminal activity across the city of Milwaukee.

The details

Data through September 30, 2026, shows 83 homicides compared to 108 in 2025, while fatal traffic crashes dropped from 43 to 34. Conversely, thefts rose 8 percent and burglaries increased 5 percent, even as auto thefts and robberies saw significant declines.

January 1 2025 to September 30 2025 served as the baseline comparison period.
The 2026 reporting period covers activity from January 1 through September 30.
Crime data was finalized on September 30 2026.
The Milwaukee Police Department released these official statistics on October 14 2026.

Legal Context

This report follows the standard trajectory set by the Milwaukee Police Department's quarterly statistical reporting cycle, which has historically been the primary vehicle for measuring local public safety outcomes. City policies continue to emphasize community-based violence prevention to influence these long-term crime trends.

Residents may see evolving strategies from the Milwaukee Police Department as the city addresses the rise in local theft and burglary incidents. The proposed expansion of police academy staffing aims to maintain current clearance rates and improve overall safety in the area.

The takeaway

While violent crime indicators like homicides have trended downward, the concurrent rise in property crime suggests that residents should remain vigilant regarding home and vehicle security. These mixed results highlight the complexity of maintaining public safety across various categories of crime.

What happens next

The Milwaukee city government will deliberate on the proposed 2027 budget, which currently includes funding to support three police academy classes of 65 recruits each.