Some people are concerned that Pittsburgh has become too dangerous, and others have been nervous as Kennywood opened for the spring season, following the September shooting that left three people wounded.

The statistics, however, tell a more complicated story.

The homicide rate in Pittsburgh did jump by 31.1% in Pittsburgh in 2022, and violent crime incidents rose from 3.1 per 1,000 people to 3.9. 

Statistics such as these are causing people to believe that the city is going through a rough patch, diminishing their desire to enjoy fun activities across the city. But it remains to be seen if this is an ongoing trend or just a one-year jump.

A similar spike was seen in 2014 as the city recorded 70 homicides, a one-year increase of 49%, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported at the time. However, homicides dropped after 2014, and they were down to 39 by 2019. 

Furthermore, violent crime slowed during the first quarter of 2023. “During the first three months of the year, Pittsburgh recorded what appears to be a modest decrease in crime,” the Post-Gazette reported. 

Homicides in the city decreased by 11% in the first quarter compared to the same period in 2022. Non-fatal shootings, meanwhile, dropped 28% in the same period, the Post-Gazette said.

Given these numbers, it’s difficult to determine for a fact whether the crime rate will experience another spike, or if the rest of the year will continue this downward trend.

Regardless, people need to realize that for society to progress even further than it has already come, everyone needs to make a collective effort for the promise of a better tomorrow.