State leaders need a plan to advance safety and justice. 

State leaders face intense pressure to address violent crime and deliver the safety every community deserves, but the path forward isn’t always clear. The public is looking for leaders who can provide effective, fair, and efficient solutions. 

Solving violent crime is key to building trust. However, only 44% of violent crimes reported to law enforcement in 2024 were solved nationally, according to our September 2025 analysis of FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. 

When crime is not solved, it erodes trust—especially in communities that are most affected by violence. Rebuilding that trust requires a comprehensive state plan that’s locally focused and includes: 

• Accountability for people who commit violent crime 

• Community involvement in crime prevention and intervention 

• Support for victims and witnesses 

To equip state leaders, the CSG Justice Center has analyzed the most recent 50-state FBI statistics on crime, arrests, and prison populations and has developed a list of 5 ways states can reduce violent crime: