California Attorney General Rob Bonta released the state’s 2024 crime statistics, reporting a 6% drop in violent crime and an 8.4% decrease in property crime. Homicides fell by more than 10%, giving California its second-lowest homicide rate since 1966. Governor Gavin Newsom credited increased funding for law-enforcement and community programs, calling the figures evidence that the state’s public-safety strategy is working. The report, however, acknowledges that several large jurisdictions—including parts of Los Angeles, San Diego and Kern counties—failed to submit complete data because they are converting to the California Incident-Based Reporting System. Critics argue the omissions could understate crime levels in some of the state’s most-populated areas. Newsom’s press office countered that more than 98% of Californians live in areas that supplied data, and Bonta said the transition to the new reporting platform will improve accuracy over time. Lawmakers and transparency advocates are pressing the Department of Justice to close the remaining gaps before next year’s release.