Violent crime drops in Connecticut, but fraud cases surge
State public safety officials reported another year of declining violent crime across Connecticut, though they acknowledged rising fraud cases during a Monday press conference.
Article Title: Violent crime drops in Connecticut, but fraud cases surge
Connecticut recorded significant declines in serious and violent crime during the first three quarters of 2025, according to statistics released this week by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
DESPP Commissioner Ronnell Higgins announced the latest crime data from Middletown, showing the state’s violent crime trend continues downward after years of steady decreases. The data, tracked through the National Incident Based Reporting System, covers the first nine months of 2025.
“For example, there have been 49 reported murders in the state of Connecticut for the first three quarters in 2025, compared to 67 in 2024, and over 100 in 2023, during the same period,” Higgins said.
However, officials also acknowledged a concerning rise in fraud cases across the state, with fraud offenses growing at what DESPP described as “an alarming rate.”
Gov. Ned Lamont praised the decrease in serious, violent crimes, saying the continuing decline makes Connecticut one of the safest states in the country. “As we work to continue to increase public safety and ensure everyone feels safe in our state, I remain dedicated to working with law enforcement, community members and lawmakers on ways we can build on this progress,” Lamont said.
Col. Daniel Loughman, commanding officer of the Connecticut State Police, noted clear reductions in violent crime and property crime, including notable drops in assaults, burglaries and motor vehicle thefts.
Compared to the same period in 2024, Connecticut saw fewer murders, burglaries, sexual assaults and other major crimes during the first nine months of 2025. The data shows substantial drops in serious and violent crime over recent years.
State officials continue working to balance public safety resources between addressing traditional violent crime and protecting residents from increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes that often cross state lines.