Overall crime down by 2% in Phoenix so far in 2023, according to police crime report

PHOENIX - Officials with the Phoenix Police Department have released their crime report for the first six months of 2023.

According to the report, overall violent crime is down 2%, and there were 98 homicides, compared to 113 in 2022.

Meanwhile, robberies were down by 12%, and there were no significant change in cases of aggravated assaults.

However, the report noted a 10% increase in rape cases.

Phoenix PD shares update on DOJ investigation

Phoenix Police has released new information about the ongoing federal investigation into their department. In 2021, the Department of Justice announced a widespread probe alleging a "pattern of practice" and an unusually high rate of excessive force. The department says it has cooperated with the investigation and handed over an estimated 20,000 body camera videos, 80,000 documents, training materials and more.

Read the report: https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/police/2823

Car thefts are also up by 4%, with more than 4,000 cases reported. The report mentions a trend involving certain Kia and Hyundai vehicles are a possible reason for that increase.