The City of McAllen registered its lowest crime totals in 40 years after the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Uniform Crime Reporting program documented a 20.4% decrease in crime volume in 2025 compared with 2024. City officials and law enforcement credited collaborative public-safety efforts for the reduction.
Key declines: theft and auto theft lead the drop
According to the statewide Crime by Jurisdiction statistics released for 2025, McAllen saw notable declines across several major categories. Reported incidents of theft fell from 2,523 in 2024 to 2,025 in 2025, a decrease of 19.7%. Reported auto thefts plunged from 100 to 44, down 56.0%. Robberies and reported rapes also dropped.
| Offense | 2025 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | 1 | 4 | -75.0% |
| Theft | 2,025 | 2,523 | -19.7% |
| Auto theft | 44 | 100 | -56.0% |
Measured as rates per 100,000 residents, McAllen’s overall crime rate fell from 1,968.0 in 2024 to 1,547.2 in 2025 — a reduction of 21.4%. The city recorded one murder in 2025 compared with four the year before; the murder rate dropped roughly three points on the rate scale reported by DPS.
Officials emphasize community role, sustained effort
“Our community is a construct of persons who live, work, visit and strive to keep McAllen thriving by preventing crime, promoting public safety and participating in the investigation of crime when it does occur.”
The comment, attributed to McAllen Chief of Police Victor Rodriguez in the release, reflects the city’s framing of the decline as the product of law-enforcement strategy and public participation. The municipal statement also noted that McAllen has reduced crime about 81.4% from its high in 1995.
- Overall crime volume: 2,339 in 2025 vs. 2,939 in 2024 (-20.4%).
- Overall crime rate: 1,547.2 in 2025 vs. 1,968.0 in 2024 (-21.4%).
- Largest percentage drops observed in murder, robbery, and auto theft categories.
For Hidalgo County and the Rio Grande Valley, McAllen’s improvements carry implications for public confidence, business investment and regional policing priorities. Lower property-crime rates can reduce insurance costs and improve the business climate, while sustained declines in violent crime may shift resources toward prevention and community-based programs.
City leaders and police will face the challenge of sustaining these gains amid shifting population dynamics and cross-border pressures unique to the region. Future DPS releases and local reporting will be watched closely to determine whether 2025 marks the start of a long-term trend or a single-year improvement.
