In 2025, Modesto celebrated zero homicides, a first in over 40 years, highlighting a broader decline in violent crime.
MODESTO, Calif — The Modesto Police Department announced Friday that the city recorded zero homicides for the entire year of 2025, marking the first time that has happened in at least four decades.
In a social media video, Modesto Police Chief Brandon Gillespie highlighted a broader decline in violent crime across the city.
“Violent crime is not welcome here,” Gillespie said.
According to the department, other crime categories are also trending down this year.
“Auto Theft is on pace to be down nearly 40% and robberies and commercial burglaries are seeing double digit decreases,” Gillespie said.
Modesto Mayor Sue Zwahlen said she is grateful for the news and believes it is the result of several factors.
“One of those being the relentless pursuit of our officers to address crime and to arrest those that are responsible, especially for violent crimes,” Zwahlen said.
Both the Mayor and Police Chief also pointed to additional funding from the city’s Measure H sales tax, which allowed for expanded police resources.
While many residents say they are encouraged by the statistics, others note that crime reduction involves more than policing alone.
Anthony Drobnick, a Modesto resident and economics teacher, says broader economic factors play a major role in keeping communities safe.
“The root causes of crime are things like foreclosure rates, eviction rates, unemployment rates,” Drobnick said. “So I think focusing on the things that really keep a community healthy and whole are things that we are doing really well.”
Drobnick hopes the city continues focusing on long term solutions to maintain lower crime rates.
“I think that when we look at violence, the research pans out across the board and communities all around the country that violence is an economic issue first and foremost,” Drobnick said. “So I think addressing things like housing cost of living are the best ways we can keep these numbers low.”
For additional context, ABC10 asked the City of Modesto for other crime statistics, including the number of shootings that resulted in injuries in 2025. City officials said those figures were not immediately available.
Despite that, city leaders say they are hopeful the positive trend continues into the new year.
“It makes such a difference when we’re trying to develop economically, when we’re trying to not just survive, but thrive,” Zwahlen said. “It’s really important for our city.”
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