Phoenix parks have become safer in 2025, with statistics showing far fewer deaths and other incidents, but city officials are still examining ways to increase security.

Despite some improved stats, police are called to a city park for a report of a violent crime in a park about 1.5 times per day on average.

While there were 17 deaths in city parks in 2023 and 13 in 2024, there has only been one through May 27 of this year. Nearly all deaths in parks are due to drug overdoses, heat, medical events or suicide. One death, in 2023, was a homicide and in two deaths the cause was unknown.

Phoenix began contracting third-party security guards to patrol select city parks in 2023 and an addition to park rangers.

Parks staff is considering adding more security cameras to parks and plans to hire

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