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Violent crime across Pennsylvania has declined by 21% over the past decade, according to a new report from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). The report highlights significant improvements in public safety metrics throughout the state.
The 19 counties receiving funding through the Gun Violence Investigation and Prosecution (GVIP) grant program have seen particularly dramatic improvements. These counties experienced a 32.5% reduction in homicides between 2022 and 2024, while gun violence dropped by 42% during the same period, according to PCCD data.
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, who chairs the PCCD, pointed to the positive trends revealed in the report. "Clearance rates are up, and homicide rates are down," Davis said, noting that $50 million has been distributed through the GVIP program to support local law enforcement efforts.
The effectiveness of the program is further demonstrated by improved case resolution rates. Counties receiving GVIP funding achieved an average homicide clearance rate of 91.3%, compared to 83.7% in counties without such funding. Aggravated assault clearance rates also increased by 7.5 percentage points in funded counties, versus just 1.5 percentage points in counties without GVIP support, according to the PCCD report.
Lancaster County stands out as a particularly successful example, recording just four criminal homicides in 2025 – an exceptionally low figure for a county with over 500,000 residents.
"Most counties that are over 500,000 people like we are — they're going to have anywhere from 25 to 50, maybe 70 homicides a year," said County Commissioner Josh Parsons. "To have four, it's really incredible."
Parsons attributes the decline to sustained investments in public safety rather than any single policy change. "When you have this kind of dramatic decrease, I don't think you can attribute it to any one factor. It's ongoing work over a period of years," he told FOX43.
Governor Josh Shapiro has highlighted the statewide 35% reduction in homicides since 2022 in recent statements. His administration continues to prioritize public safety funding, including support for four new Pennsylvania State Police cadet classes and a 10% increase for community-based violence prevention initiatives.
As Pennsylvania communities continue to see improvements in safety metrics, officials remain focused on maintaining this positive momentum through coordinated efforts across law enforcement agencies, county governments, and community organizations.