Modesto recorded zero homicides in 2025, a historic first for the city of more than 220,000 residents, according to FOX40. Modesto Police Captain Chris Adams said records from the past four decades show no similar instance.
Other serious crimes in Modesto also declined, Adams said. Violent crimes fell 10%, including robberies, thefts, and domestic violence. Police credit the drop to targeted strategies, partnerships with local organizations, and technology such as their real-time call center, license plate readers, and an aerial support plane.
Modesto Mayor Sue Zwahlen credited community support, including Measure H funding for the police, for the city’s success. She also praised residents and officers for their efforts in preventing crime.
Anthony Drobnick, a local economics teacher, offered a different view. "The root causes of crime are things like foreclosure rates, eviction rates, unemployment rates," he told ABC10, stressing that economic stability and cost-of-living concerns are key to community safety.
Residents and officials continue to prioritize public safety. City Council Member Eric Alvarez pledged fair resource allocation across all districts. Combined with ongoing police efforts, these measures aim to maintain Modesto’s low crime levels in 2026.
