Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel has planned a bold 2026 agenda. He wants to curb property crime and gun violence and to roll out a strategic public safety plan this year.
Bethel’s plans come on the heels of Philadelphia closing out 2025 with the city’s lowest homicide count in decades. Police officials reported a drop in shootings, retail theft, assaults, and other crimes.
As of Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, 222 homicides were recorded for the year in Philadelphia, according to the Philadelphia Police Department’s crime database. Those stats are lower than 2013, with 247 homicides, and 2014, with 249 fatal shootings.
“The continued decline in homicides is the result of sustained, collective work across our entire city,” Bethel said to The Philadelphia Tribune. “Under Mayor (Cherelle) Parker’s leadership, we’ve centered our strategy on prevention, intervention, and enforcement — and all three are working together.”
Bethel also acknowledged the use of technology in helping to solve violent crime cases, while targeting city blocks and neighborhoods that have been contributing to issues with violence.
The 82% homicide-clearance rate and 42% shooting-clearance rate in 2025 were more than double the national average, he stated.
“Our work continues 24/7, and we are already preparing to carry this momentum into 2026,” he continued in his comments to The Tribune. “The credit belongs to our communities, our partners, and the men and women of this department who show up every day to keep our city safe.”