Despite several high-profile crimes, statistics show Scottsdale was safer in 2025 than the previous year.
According to a Dec. 30 city press release, “In 2025, Scottsdale was ranked among the top 15 safest cities in the nation for communities with populations over 100,000, placing it in the top five percent nationwide.
When comparing 2025 year-to-date totals with the same period in 2024, reported Group A crimes declined by 24%.
Group A crimes are the most serious offenses tracked by law enforcement under the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System. They include violent crimes such as homicide, aggravated assault, robbery and sexual assault, as well as major property crimes like burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson and fraud.
Through November, the Scottsdale Police Department reported
5,762 crimes in the city – with a 33% “clearance rate,” leaving two-thirds unsolved.
In 2021, more than 8,000 crimes took place in Scottsdale.
The most recent report to the FBI shows 371 violent crimes took place in Scottsdale during the first 11 months of 2025. In 2021, Scottsdale had over 500 violent crimes.
But the six homicides in 2025 – with two double murders – was a five-year high.
This year, according to the city, the SPD’s Crisis Response Team responded to hundreds of calls involving individuals experiencing mental health crises.
And the SPD’s Street Crimes Unit, Drug Enforcement Unit and federal task force partnerships led to major arrests and seizures, including large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine and firearms, disrupting organized criminal activity locally and regionally.
“Our officers and professional staff handled some of the most complex and challenging work in law enforcement this year,” Police Chief Joe LeDuc said. “What stands out most is their professionalism, teamwork and commitment to serving this community with integrity and care.”
The SPD also has a Crime Prevention Unit “to reduce the potential of Scottsdale residents, businesses and visitors in becoming victims of crime and to help educate citizens on how to decrease their likelihood of becoming victimized.”
The city release noted “a 24% reduction in traffic complaints compared to 2024,” citing “targeted traffic enforcement across key corridors to address resident concerns related to speeding, racing and noise.”