Homicides dropped by over 10% in America’s biggest cities in 2023

In a major national news story, CNN reported that homicides dropped by over 10% in America’s biggest cities in 2023. Cities using ShotSpotter, including Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, and Detroit are named in the piece. Regarding Detroit’s achievement of its lowest homicide rate in 57 years, the deployment of ShotSpotter technology is cited as one contributing factor. The decline in homicides is also attributed to increased police presence, neighborhood violence prevention strategies, and collaborative efforts with federal, county, state, court, and community leaders. “We are seeing record drops in gun violence in Detroit because every single part of the criminal justice system is getting past Covid obstacles and is now working again,” Mayor Mike Duggan said in a statement. “I have never seen such a high level of cooperation.”