Bridgeport has long had a reputation as one of Connecticut’s higher-crime cities, and in some categories that’s still true today. But the most recent data tells a different story than a few years ago: across nearly every major crime category, Bridgeport has seen real, sustained declines since 2019. That doesn’t mean the need for bail bonds has gone away. It means the picture is more nuanced than “most violent city in the state,” and it’s worth looking at the real numbers.
The Five-Year Trend (2019–2024)
This data comes directly from the Bridgeport Police Department’s own year-end statistics, published by their Office of Internal Affairs and Fusion Intelligence Center as of December 31, 2024.
*BPD’s grand larceny reporting begins in 2020, not 2019, so the change reflects 2020–2024.
ShotSpotter gunfire-detection activations tell a similar story, falling from 1,148 in 2019 to 702 in 2024, a 39% drop that tracks closely with the decline in shootings. What makes this notable: it happened even as the department’s own staffing shrank from 375 sworn officers in 2019 to 284 in 2024, a 24% reduction.
Motor vehicle theft and grand larceny are the exceptions, both trending upward, which lines up with the nationwide rise in car theft many cities have seen since 2020.
How Bridgeport Compares Today
Per NeighborhoodScout’s most recent analysis (city population: 151,599):
- Violent crime rate: 3.84 per 1,000 residents (Connecticut statewide: 1.36 per 1,000)
- Chance of being a victim of violent crime: 1 in 260 (Connecticut: 1 in 735)
- Property crime rate: 14.39 per 1,000 (Connecticut: 13.66 per 1,000)
- Chance of being a victim of property crime: 1 in 69 (Connecticut: 1 in 73)
- Overall Crime Index: 19 out of 100 (100 = safest) — Bridgeport is safer than 19% of U.S. cities
Compared to national per-capita averages (Niche.com):
The picture is mixed rather than uniformly bad: murder, robbery, and motor vehicle theft run above the national average, while assault, burglary, and general theft rates are meaningfully below it.
Sex Offenders: 340 registered in Bridgeport – 2026
As of August of 2026, there are 340 registered sex offenders living in Bridgeport, a ratio of roughly 1 for every 429 residents (City-Data.com, sourced from official state registry data). For a current, searchable map by neighborhood, use the official City Data.
Burglaries: 224.1 for every 100,000 people in Bridgeport (2024)
While violence is more frightening and damaging to the people of the city, burglaries can damage the economy, and when the economy is down, cities begin to suffer from degeneration and gang violence. However, there are things you can do to protect your home and business from burglaries.
- Get a security system. Most burglars are spooked by the sound and leave the property quickly.
- Talk with employees and family members about online identity theft and the importance of keeping your full identity to yourself. Children will especially need guidance in this area.
- Start a neighborhood watch in your community. This can help keep your home, family and even your business safe from intruders. If intruders are able to find their way in, they will be apprehended quickly with a neighborhood watch on duty.
Auto Thefts: 473.2 Cars Stolen per 100,000 residents in Bridgeport (2024)
Did you know that every 31 to 48 seconds a car is stolen in the United States? Even though that seems like a lot, auto thefts have been on the decline. Whether people are getting smarter or manufacturers are making better cars, auto theft rates have declined year over year for the last decade according to crime statistics provided by the U.S. government Here are some tips from major car insurance companies on keeping your car as safe as possible.
- Regardless of where you are, keep your car locked at all times, the windows rolled up and your sunroof closed.
- Do not hide a second set of keys on or in your car. If a thief is desperate enough, he will find it.
- Do not leave anything sitting out in the open on the seat of your car. Lock everything in a trunk or slide things under the seat, out of sight.
- Park in well lit areas.
Other Crimes of Note in Bridgeport
Bridgeport’s numbers are high across the board. Here are some other notably high numbers of crime rates that occur within the city limits of Bridgeport, CT compared to the nearest city with the highest crime rates.
- 22 Murders vs. 0
- 388 Rapes vs. 2
- 606 Robberies vs. 33
- 744 Assaults vs. 11
- 2,908 Thefts vs. 1,371
- 25 Arsons vs. 4
These are things you should be on the lookout for when travelling through or living in Bridgeport. However, when you take the correct precautions, you have no need to worry. If you or a loved one are in need of a bail bond in Bridgeport, CT we are here to help.
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