In the first six months of 2025, Connecticut’s largest city saw declines in every major crime category compared with the same period in 2024, according to preliminary data from the Bridgeport Police Department.
The drop in violent crimes in Bridgeport follows a nationwide trend. A first-quarter survey by the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) reported homicides down 20 percent, rapes 14 percent, robberies 20 percent and aggravated assaults 11 percent across 68 large U.S. cities in the first quarter of 2025 versus 2024. While the MCCA report covers the first quarter of 2025, Bridgeport’s statistics span the first six months.
Last year, Bridgeport had five murders versus just two so far this year, down 60 percent. By comparison, Hartford and New Haven — cities smaller populations than Bridgeport — reported 22 and 14 homicides in 2024, respectively, according to the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice.
Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter noted that both 2025 killings were domestic-related and that arrests were made quickly. He credited the decrease in crime to “the hard work and dedication of our police officers and investigators.”
“Also, smart policing, meaning we are strategic in our deployments, and specific in targeting locations and individuals,” Porter said. “And lastly, but very important, our community engagement and collaboration efforts. “
While Bridgeport’s specific first quarter numbers weren’t published in the Major Cities Chiefs Association report, they do follow a statewide trend in declining violent crime.
According to Porter, sexual assaults were down 30%, robbery down 47%, aggravated assault down 28%, burglary down 23%, and motor vehicle thefts down nearly 10%. Overall, crime was down nearly 23%.
“We don’t rest on these current statistics,” said Porter. “We are aware that numbers can change and, ultimately, perceptions are most important.”
From FCN partner Easton Courier.
