DA's office reports 2023 violent crime rise and domestic violence increase in Santa Clara County

On March 13, 2025, the County of Santa Clara Public Safety and Justice Committee convened to discuss critical crime statistics and trends presented by District Attorney James Gibbon Shapiro. The meeting highlighted significant increases in violent crime, particularly aggravated assaults and domestic violence, while also noting a decrease in property crimes, specifically burglaries.

Shapiro reported that 2023 saw a troubling rise in violent crime across the county, with aggravated assaults and domestic violence leading the statistics. Notably, there was a 58% increase in forensic medical exams for children at the Children's Advocacy Center, indicating a concerning trend in crimes against minors. In contrast, property crimes decreased, with burglaries showing the largest drop.

The discussion also touched on early indicators for 2024, suggesting a potential decline in violent crime nationally, as reported by the FBI. However, local data from the San Jose Police Department indicated a decrease in violent crime in the latter part of 2024, which correlated with a reduction in the jail population. The jail population had decreased by 10.7% since December 2023, reflecting the downward trend in aggravated assaults.

Despite these positive signs, Shapiro raised alarms about the ongoing rise in domestic violence reports, which increased from 7,313 in 2023 to 7,618 in 2024. This trend raises questions about whether the increase is due to heightened awareness and reporting or an actual rise in incidents.

Looking ahead to 2025, Shapiro expressed concerns about a spike in retaliatory gang violence, noting that all murders in San Jose thus far in the year were gang-related. Additionally, there are fears that immigration enforcement could deter individuals from reporting crimes, potentially skewing future statistics.

The meeting concluded with public comments, including a suggestion to track the total number of individuals who have been incarcerated over the past year, as this could provide deeper insights into the jail's impact on the community.

Overall, the discussions underscored the complexities of crime trends in Santa Clara County, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and community engagement to address rising concerns, particularly around domestic violence and gang activity. The committee's next steps will involve further analysis of these trends and their implications for public safety and justice in the region.