The homicide rate in the Golden State has dropped. Data from the California Department of Justice shows the rate of homicides in the state went down roughly five-percent from 2021 to 2022. However, property and violent crimes were both up last year from 2021. Of counties with populations greater than 100-thousand, Merced County had the highest homicide rate and Santa Cruz County had the lowest. An overwhelming majority of homicide victims were women, just above 83-percent. The DOJ says more than half of homicides last year were solved. While crime rates remain significantly below historical highs, Attorney General Rob Bonta says there’s still work to be done.