Singapore is ranked as the safest country in the world with 98% of its population feeling safe walking alone at night, while South Africa is the least safe. Despite global conflicts, 73% of people worldwide feel safe, the highest in nearly two decades, based on Gallup's 2025 report. Asian and Middle Eastern countries generally rank high in safety perceptions, whereas Latin American countries like Chile and Ecuador rank lower.
San Francisco officials strongly oppose President Trump's suggestion to deploy the National Guard to the city, emphasizing that crime rates are declining and local law enforcement is sufficient. City leaders, including the mayor and district attorney, dismiss the idea as unnecessary and potentially harmful, while Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has softened his stance after supporting increased federal intervention. The city continues to manage its safety with a growing police force despite budget challenges.
An analysis of 1,273 arrest records in Washington D.C. reveals that arrests involving federal officers are widespread across all city wards, with a concentration in the poorest, most diverse, and high-crime neighborhoods.
President Donald Trump claimed that including domestic violence and other 'lesser' crimes in crime statistics inflates crime rates in Washington D.C., suggesting the city is safer than reported, and downplayed the significance of domestic violence as a crime.
Despite claims by Donald Trump that Chicago is the world's most dangerous city, crime data shows that violent crime rates in major US cities are declining, especially in Democratic-led states, with cities in red states like Jackson, Mississippi, experiencing higher murder rates. Trump focuses on blue cities like Chicago and Baltimore, which have seen significant drops in violence, while crime remains higher in some Republican-led cities. Overall, US homicide rates are at historic lows, and the pattern of violence reduction is widespread across the country.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized President Trump for deploying National Guard and federal law enforcement to Democratic cities, arguing that crime rates are higher in some Republican-led areas, highlighting perceived hypocrisy.
President Trump temporarily federalized Washington, D.C. police and indicated plans to intervene in other cities like Los Angeles, Baltimore, Oakland, New York, and Chicago, despite crime rates generally falling across these areas. His actions, including deploying the National Guard, are seen as a significant escalation of federal authority targeting Democratic-led cities, amid claims of rising crime that data shows is actually decreasing.
President Trump has announced a news conference claiming he will address violent crime in Washington, D.C., amid ongoing efforts to increase federal law enforcement presence, despite data showing a significant decline in crime rates in the city. D.C. Mayor Bowser disputes the notion of a crime spike, emphasizing collaborative efforts with federal and local agencies to maintain safety, and suggesting Trump's claims may be aimed at justifying a federal takeover of D.C. police.
FBI data for 2024 shows a decline in all major crime categories, contradicting claims that crime has surged under Biden, with violent crime rates reaching historic lows since the 1960s and a significant drop in murders, rapes, and assaults.
Homicides in Los Angeles have decreased by over 20% in the first half of the year, with the city on track for its lowest homicide total in nearly 60 years, driven by police efforts and broader national trends, despite ongoing challenges in some neighborhoods.
SafeWise's 10th annual Safest Cities report named multiple Southern California cities, particularly in Orange County, as the safest in the state, with Rancho Santa Margarita, Aliso Viejo, Yorba Linda, Laguna Niguel, and Mission Viejo leading the list. The report highlighted Californians' high concern for safety due to above-average crime rates, but noted a 19% decline in safety concerns year over year. Utilizing FBI crime statistics and demographic information, the study found that California's safest cities had significantly lower per capita crime rates compared to the state average.
Former President Donald Trump frequently claims that crime rates are soaring in Democratic cities and blames President Joe Biden, but FBI statistics and local police data indicate a decrease in violent crime across the country and in major cities. Trump's assertions about a migrant-driven crime wave also lack evidence, as crime reports have decreased in several major cities targeted by Texas’ Operation Lone Star, a program backed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.
The Memphis City Council has postponed a vote on reappointing the police chief amid record-breaking homicide rates and community distrust, opting to appoint CJ Davis as interim chief to assess her performance. The city faces a fractured police department, declining officer numbers, and a DOJ investigation following the death of Tyre Nichols. Mayor Paul Young supports Davis, emphasizing the need to bridge community-police relationships and address crime prevention. The decision reflects divisions within the community over the chief's leadership amidst soaring crime rates, with the next vote expected to be decisive.
In-N-Out is set to close its Oakland location due to high crime rates in the area near Oakland International Airport, joining other recent closures including Make Westing, Sidebar, Sister, and Sizzling Lunch. Additionally, chain restaurants like Black Bear Diner and Subway have also shuttered in the neighborhood, highlighting the impact of crime on local businesses.
In South Africa, violent crime rates are soaring, with an average of 75 killings and 400 robberies reported daily. The police force is struggling to cope, leading to a surge in the private security industry. With over 2.7 million registered private security officers, the industry has grown significantly, now outnumbering the police and military combined. However, these services are only accessible to the wealthy, leaving the majority of South Africans reliant on an under-resourced police force. The government plans to introduce 10,000 new police officers by 2024 to address the issue, while Gauteng province has deployed crime wardens to support police operations.
