AXIOS (Russell Contreras) - From AI tools to alcohol drops: The unexpected forces driving America's crime decline
The U.S. is experiencing one of the steepest and most widespread crime declines in modern history. Researchers aren't exactly sure why — but they have theories: - Early research points to a mix of factors — declining alcohol and drug use since the COVID pandemic, AI-fueled policing technology that's making it easier for cops to catch suspects, an aging population, tougher prosecutions, and more. Why it matters: Knowing more about what's driving the violent-crime decline could help cities decide what to preserve as pandemic-era federal money fades away — and how to distinguish policies that reduce violence from merely benefiting from the historic drop in crime. By the numbers: The U.S. violent-crime rate plunged 9.7% in 2025 , the…