Cities that increased their police budget in 2024 are now reporting dramatic drops in homicides, dealing a major blow to the defund-the-police movement. Philadelphia, Denver, Minneapolis, and New York City each increased police funding—and each city saw murder rates decline significantly in the first quarter of 2025 due to this “absolute rejection” of a dangerous and increasingly flawed position.
Minneapolis, which saw riots and calls to dismantle its police force in 2020, recorded a 54% drop in homicides. Denver and Philadelphia followed with nearly 59% and 28% reductions, respectively. New York City also saw a 28% decrease, after lawmakers expanded police funding and shifted focus toward recidivism.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch emphasized the impact of accountability: “The deck has been completely stacked against our cops by a shocking lack of accountability for crime.”
The data came from the Major Cities Chiefs Association, covering January to March 2025. It showed that cities willing to reinvest in law enforcement are seeing real results in public safety.
National Police Association spokesperson Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith told Fox News Digital the trend marks an “absolute rejection” of radical efforts to dismantle policing.
“People died because of [defunding], and now the American public is wholeheartedly rejecting it,” Smith said. “More police work equals less crime.”
Smith concluded, “Law enforcement needs resources. Finally, the public, the politicians, the media are catching up with that idea.”
