Crime keeps dropping in Aurora, Colorado — and the police chief explains why

Crime in Aurora, Colorado, has continued to fall in 2026, according to new data from the Aurora Police Department. From January through June, overall crime dropped about 10.5% compared to the same six months in 2025. That means roughly 665 fewer people in the city became crime victims. Police Chief Todd Chamberlain said the results didn't happen by luck — they came from careful planning and hard work.

Violent crime fell 9% and property crime dropped 11% during the first half of the year. The department tracks seven types of crime, and every single one went down. The biggest drop was in homicides, which fell 59% compared to the same period last year. Motor vehicle thefts dropped 38%, and burglaries and sexual assaults each fell 24%.

Chief Chamberlain gave credit to the strategies his department has used. Officers focused on 'hot spots,' which are areas where crime happens most often. The department also used technology like real-time cameras and license plate readers to help catch criminals faster. By studying crime data closely, police were able to send officers to the right places at the right times.

Not everyone in the community sees things the same way, though. Some residents said they have noticed the city feels safer. 'Aurora has calmed down a little bit,' said Aurora resident Carol Leitz. But others believe the community itself — not just the police — deserves credit for the improvements.

MiDian Shofner leads a group called Epitome of Black Excellence & Partnership. She said that when crime goes down, it usually means people in the neighborhood are building better relationships with each other. 'The applause belongs to the community,' Shofner said. She also raised concerns about whether all forms of violence are being counted fairly in the police data.

Some residents said they want to see even more officers patrolling their streets. At the same time, the police department reported that the number of calls it receives keeps rising. In 2025, officers answered 269,370 calls — nearly 5% more than in 2024. In just the first six months of 2026, officers handled over 142,000 calls, which is more than 12% higher than the same period last year.

Even with all the good news, Chief Chamberlain said his department is not slowing down. 'We are not declaring victory as far as crime overall,' he said. 'That is something we have to stay focused on continually.' Aurora's police department plans to keep using data, technology, and community partnerships to make the city even safer going forward.