I-17 Corridor Crime Rates Drop as Phoenix Rolls Out Safety Strategy

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Phoenix officials report a noticeable decline in crime along the Interstate 17 (I-17) corridor following the implementation of a focused Community Safety Plan introduced three years ago. Launched in 2022, the initiative was designed to tackle some of the city’s most crime-prone areas by improving public safety, reducing criminal activity, and enhancing outreach services.

The safety plan targeted neighborhoods along I-17, including the notoriously troubled stretch near 27th Avenue between Camelback Road and Indian School Road, an area long associated with prostitution and violent crime. Since the program began, the city has seen a drop in violent crime by up to 40% in the midtown region spanning 35th Avenue to I-17, from Indian School Road to Northern Avenue. Trespassing incidents have fallen by 30%, and overall crime in the area has decreased by nearly 29%.

“In addition to the reduction of crime, you’re just going to see less blight, less graffiti,” said Sean Kennedy, Assistant Chief of the Phoenix Police Department’s Patrol Division. His remarks highlight that the improvements extend beyond crime statistics, contributing to a cleaner and safer community atmosphere.

A key element of the plan is the Real Time Operations Center, which brings together multiple city departments to better coordinate safety efforts, provide services, and increase educational and prevention programs. City of Phoenix Special Projects Administrator Nick Valenzuela said, “We can see that this coordinated approach and the Real Time Operations Centers are making a difference in these communities.”

The city also took action against known trouble spots, such as the closure and seizure of the Royal Inn, a property linked to ongoing criminal activity. Meanwhile, the Office of Homeless Solutions has been active in outreach to vulnerable populations in the area, working to connect individuals to necessary services.

Despite these encouraging results, feedback from local businesses is mixed. Some have noticed a stronger police presence, yet safety concerns remain. For instance, a laundromat employee shared that her employer reduced store hours to close earlier at night due to ongoing worries about safety. Observations made by Arizona’s Family on a recent Friday night confirmed that problems persist in some areas.

Kennedy acknowledged the ongoing challenges, stating, “We can show them the data to show where we have made improvements, but then we also got to show them the data that shows where we got more work to do, and we acknowledge that and that continued collaboration is going to continue in those areas that we need.”

A study conducted by Arizona State University collected the data supporting these improvements. City officials are continuing to gather input from the community and plan to present their findings and recommendations for the next steps to the Phoenix City Council next month.