BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — According to the Buffalo Police Department, through September 7, 2025, there are record-low crime numbers so far in 2025.
Police said homicide rates are down 45 percent, and there were zero homicides in the City of Buffalo in August for the first time in 40 years of FBI record keeping.
Commissioner Alphonso Wright reflected on the milestone in a sit-down interview.
"I’m very excited," Wright said. "Of course, you know, anything could happen. But just to hear that, it makes me proud. It makes me proud to be living in the City of Buffalo. I've lived here my entire life, as you know,and I've been under the Department for almost four decades. That just goes to show you what community interaction is possible. I think it attributes to the hard work that these officers are doing and also how the community are interacting with us," Wright said.
WATCH: 'It makes me proud': BPD Commissioner reflects on decrease in homicide rates, shooting incidents
Police also said shooting incidents are down 28 percent, shooting victims are down 35 percent and shooting homicides are down 46 percent.
In addition, police said Part One Index Crimes are down 13 percent, including:
- Rape down 3 percent
- Robbery down 10 percent
- Burglary down 5 percent
- Larceny down 12 percent
- Motor Vehicle Theft down 34 percent
Chief of Detectives Joseph Langdon reflected on the recent stats as well.
"Pretty impressive," Langdon said. "It's just another showing of how our detectives are working and following up on cases, and our patrol officers are responding and also notifying the detectives when something happens, you know, so they can start to investigate as soon as possible and get going."
Commissioner Wright said community engagement, including the launch of the foot patrol program earlier this summer, is working for the department.
"I think it's working very well," he said. "We get a lot of positive reviews. We hear back good as well as bad, which helps us a lot. It helps us to learn how to be officers better, how to police the community better. So it definitely has helped."
But Commissioner Wright said there's still work that needs to be done.
"I think just strengthening our relationship more with the community, and that’s our aim, it is more strengthening with the community, and that’s been that way for awhile, but as long as I'm around, never stop trying to make it strong," he said.
The department released the following statement on behalf of Commissioner Wright:
“The record low numbers we have seen so far this year can directly be attributed to the men and women of the Buffalo Police Department who work tirelessly each and every day to serve and protect the citizens of Buffalo.
As Commissioner, I have insisted on our officers getting out on the streets talking directly to our neighbors and business owners. The Foot Patrol Integration Unit has sent officers to every single street in this city and I believe we are now seeing the rewards of that effort.
I would like to specifically thank former Chief of Detectives Craig Macy for his work the last three years, as we saw a steady decline in homicides, shootings, and violent crime under his watch. The staggering declines we are announcing today have been in no small part due to the strong leadership of Chief Macy in the Detective Division. I have full confidence in Chief Joseph Langdon as he steps into the role that he will continue on this downward trajectory.
As we see these percentages drop, it is important to remember the human element of these statistics. Fewer robberies, burglaries, larcenies, and motor vehicle thefts means less fear and aggravation for the citizens of Buffalo. Reduced homicide and shooting numbers signify less death and fewer grieving families.
I thank the members of the department, my command staff, and the strong leadership of Mayor Scanlon, which have all contributed to these outstanding decreases in crime in our city.”
