Safer Streets. Stronger Community. Real Resultsdetail

Feb. 23, 2026

Tempe, AZ - In a year when many cities are grappling with rising crime and traffic fatalities, Tempe is moving in the opposite direction. Serious crime is down double digits. Fatal collisions have dropped by 21 percent. Motor vehicle thefts fell nearly 30 percent. And in targeted areas, crime declined by more than 27 percent during focused enforcement operations. The Tempe Police Department's newly released 2025 public safety data tells a clear story: strategy, accountability, and community partnership are producing measurable results.

Behind the numbers is a coordinated approach that blends precision enforcement with visible community engagement - from hundreds of arrests tied to the department's Strategic Response Section to more than 1,700 pounds of methamphetamine seized through its HIDTA partnership, to zero fatal crashes at fixed photo enforcement locations since July 2025. Chief Ken McCoy said the results reflect "focused strategy, strong partnerships, and a department-wide commitment to both enforcement and engagement." The full year-end data outlines how Tempe's approach is translating into safer streets and sustained community confidence.

In a comprehensive Public Safety Update presented Feb. 12, 2026, the Tempe Police Department shared year-end data showing measurable progress in crime reduction, traffic safety, narcotics enforcement, and community policing efforts.

Crime is Down

• NIBRS Group A offenses decreased 14% from 2024. (More serious crime categories tracked under FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System)

• Violent crime dropped 8.6%.

• Property crime decreased 4.8%.

• Significant reductions were seen in:

• Motor Vehicle Theft (down 29.6%)

• Aggravated Assault (down 14.5%)

Total calls for service declined slightly overall, while proactive officer-initiated activity increased.

Strategic Enforcement with Community Focus

The department's new Strategic Response Section - including the ACTION Team, Neighborhood Response Unit, Community Policing Unit, Tactical Response Unit, and the HIDTA task force partnership (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) - combined enforcement with outreach.

From August 2025 to January 2026 alone:

• 357 arrests between the ACTION Team and Neighborhood Response Unit

• 86 search warrants written

• 188 encampments fully cleared

• 161 community meetings and 117 community events attended

Through its HIDTA partnership, officers helped secure:

• More than 1,700 pounds of methamphetamine seized

• $553,028 in U.S. currency and $300,000 in cryptocurrency seized

• 23 firearms removed from circulation

During "Operation Autumn Impact" (Nov. 24-Dec. 14, 2025), Group A (serious crime) dropped 27.6% in the targeted area.

Vision Zero: Fatal Collisions Down 21%

Tempe's traffic safety efforts are producing measurable results.

Compared to 2024:

• Citywide collisions decreased 11%

• Injury collisions dropped 10%

• Serious injury collisions decreased 4%

• Fatal collisions reduced 21%

Since July 1, 2025, there have been zero fatal collisions at fixed photo enforcement camera locations - compared to two in 2023 and one in 2024.

Rear-end collision data - often cited as a concern with photo enforcement - shows a 52.7% reduction from 2023 and a 36.5% reduction from 2024.

Community Confidence Remains Strong

Tempe continues to meet or exceed national benchmarks in:

• Feeling of safety in neighborhoods

• Satisfaction with police services

• Feeling of safety in parks

"These numbers reflect focused strategy, strong partnerships, and a department-wide commitment to both enforcement and engagement," said Chief Ken McCoy. "We are seeing meaningful reductions in crime and traffic fatalities while continuing to build trust and collaboration in our community."