Criminal activity declined significantly in Hayward in 2025

Hayward experienced significant crime reductions in 2025. Overall, incidents of crime of all types declined 16 percent, while property crime dropped 31 percent, reflecting a substantial positive shift in reported activity.

A decline in vehicle theft led the way-down 44 percent in 2025, a trend also reflected statewide and nationally following pandemic-era increases. Improvements in vehicle security technology, combined with focused enforcement and enhanced detection systems, are likely contributors, according to the Hayward Police Department.

Theft of personal property from automobiles, vandalism and non-residential and residential burglary dropped by 31 percent, 30 percent, 27 percent and 14 percent, respectively, reflecting overall decline in opportunistic crime and improved deterrence. Robbery was down 21 percent.

Hayward Police say the results are attributable to strategic patrol redeployment to high-incident areas and data-driven hot-spot policing; integration and expansion of technologies such as license-plate reader systems; regional collaborations with neighboring agencies and community engagement initiatives.

Statewide, many California jurisdictions are reporting a stabilization or downward movement in property crime as well. Nationally, the direction also is positive.