SACRAMENTO – From putting more law enforcement officers on the streets and taking fentanyl and stolen goods out of circulation to investing in community violence prevention programs that save lives, Governor Gavin Newsom recently highlighted the results of California’s sustained commitment to public safety which has helped California achieve record-low crime rates.

California’s homicide rate fell to 3.5 per 100,000 people in 2025 — the lowest rate since statewide reporting began in 1966 — while every major crime category declined. A new UC Berkeley study released last week confirmed what the data already shows: that California’s violence prevention strategies are producing nation-leading results.

Researchers found Richmond’s community violence intervention program was responsible for an estimated 61% reduction in firearm homicides and injury shootings over 14 years. In addition to a steady stream of funding from the city, Richmond’s Office of Neighborhood Safety has received $10 million from the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Program, administered by the Board of State and Community Corrections.

This new study from the UC Berkeley Center for Global Healthy Cities documents the sustained, citywide impact of a community violence intervention program over more than a decade. Researchers compared Richmond with dozens of similar U.S. cities and found that the reductions in firearm violence grew as the program continued operating.

The findings underscore California’s broader approach to public safety – when pairing strong law enforcement with targeted prevention and intervention strategies that interrupt violence before it happens.