As the weather warms, high-profile criminal incidents and reports of shots being fired in residential neighborhoods challenge Mayor Michelle Wu’s “safest city in the US” claim. The Boston Police Department’s (BPD) midyear crime statistics show crime rates roughly comparable to this time last year, but up 1% overall.

Violent crime has reduced, with reports of homicide, sexual assault, and robbery below average. Domestic aggravated assault is marginally higher at 453 reports compared to last year’s 447. Non-domestic aggravated assault sees a more than 50-point spike at 753 compared to 692 this time last year, but is still under the five-year average of 773.

Instances of residential and commercial burglary saw a combined near-50-point drop, while larceny and auto theft rose.

In total, the 7,809 reports are more than this time last year and the City’s five-year average of 7,428.

Shootings have seen an eight-point decrease, 22% lower than the five-year average. While fatal shootings have dropped from 12 to five, non-fatal shootings are nearly identical, with only a one-point decrease.

Despite the marginal increase, residents increasingly report feeling unsafe amidst multiple high profile crimes across the city.

On June 10, a South Boston lemonade stand was robbed at gunpoint by two teens, authorities said. The older suspect has been apprehended by BPD and charged with two counts of armed robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm. The other suspect remains at large.

“I just was like a little annoyed because we were 12 and 11 and you shouldn’t really do that,” the stand’s 12-year-old proprietor David Byrne said.

“It’s outrageous that in such a good community that we can have something like this happen. I think we need more presence around in order for this to never have happen again,” said his father, Dave Byrne.

Across town, in a now viral video, a BPD officer was involved in a violent struggle while attempting to disperse a large crowd in Dorchester Sunday night. The officer was reportedly pelted with bottles and other items after trying to arrest a man for riding a dirt bike with no rear license plate, resulting in a struggle between the two, authorities said.

“The disrespect is disgraceful. This officer’s lucky to be alive. And, understaffing didn’t help him. Sending cops from one understaffed station to another is an absolute joke. Fewer cops means less safety,”a representative of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association posted to X.

Staffing concerns are ongoing for police leaders and elected officials. Local law requires BPD to maintain a minimum staffing level of 2,500 patrolmen, though only around 2,100 are available for duty, BPD bureau chief Lisa O’Brien told the City Council at a May hearing.

“Our officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect our neighborhoods. They deserve respect, support, and the confidence that city leaders will stand with them when they are attacked,” said Councilor Erin Murphy. “We also need to stop hiding behind the claim that Boston is the safest city in the country. What does that title mean when residents in too many neighborhoods are witnessing violent crime and telling us they do not feel safe?”

It is not abnormal for major cities to see spikes in illegal activity during warmer months, particularly around the 4th of July. This is caused by hotter temperatures leading to more outdoor activity, which creates more opportunity for criminal behavior.

“There’s a lot more outdoor events, school is out of session, there’s a lot more get-togethers in general in the hot weather,” BPD Commissioner Michael Cox said. “And sometimes people’s fuses can be a little shorter than normal or add frustrations and conflicts in general.”

He added that this summer, BPD will prioritize preventing violence, getting guns off the street, and addressing safety and quality-of-life concerns of residents across the city.

As Boston enters the holiday weekend, BPD reminds residents to help support public safety. They warn that all fireworks are illegal to use, sell, or possess within Massachusetts and encourage residents to report illegal displays. The BPD Party Line will also provide residents with a direct contact for reporting loud parties and late-night disorderly behavior.