NYC: Crime Figures Fall To All-Time Lows

[mawilson 2,133]

NEW YORK -- New York City is on track to set an all-time low homicide rate,

according to its top officials.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly announced

Wednesday that crime in the city fell this year, marking the 17th straight year that

major felony crime has declined.

The city is on course to have fewer than 500 homicides in 2007, surpassing all records

for where comparable information is available, they said.

"When I came into office, many believed it was impossible to drive crime, particularly

murders, down any further," Bloomberg said. "Yet, beginning in 2002, crime declined

steadily and murders fell below 600 annually for the first time in 40 years. That happened

again in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Now, in 2007, we have reached another milestone,

murders could potentially fall below 500 -- and that includes a decrease in random

murders where victims don’t know the perpetrators."

The decrease in homicides coincided with a five-year initiative undertaken by the

New York City Police Department to prevent domestic violence.

"The new record low number of murders is truly a remarkable accomplishment for which

the men and women of the Police Department should be justifiably proud," Kelly said.

"But it’s not about breaking records or crime suppression alone, it is all about saving

lives. That’s something we can all celebrate on New Year’s Eve and then immediately

resolve to keep up the good work in 2008."

Major felony crime has declined by more than 6 percent citywide compared to the same

period in 2006, and by 26 percent since 2001, the officials said.

Despite record high subway ridership, the officials reported a 13 percent decrease in

crime in the transit system.

In 2007, crime in the subway system fell 13 percent below last year’s record low numbers,

the officials reported. In 1990, there was an average of 48 major crimes per day in the

transit system. That number fell to an average of only six in 2007.

Source

A Closer Look at City's Falling Crime Stats

REPORTER: New York City's dip below 500 homicides is bucking a troubling national urban

trend that shows homicides rates back up in several major US cities after years of decline.

Commissioner Ray Kelly says despite the historical drop in New York's murder rate, the

demographics of the victims has remained consistent for years.

KELLY: The universe of victims of murder are generally from 18 to 30 years of age. They

are about 60 percent African-American, about 30 percent Hispanic.

REPORTER: Also this year, dozens of children and teens ages 10 to 17 were murdered.

While the murder rate dropped overall, there was an increase in homicides in 22 of the

city's 75 precincts.

The NYPD ultimately solves about 70 percent of recorded homicides. The national average

is closer to 60 percent.

Source

BLOOMBERG: If you go back to the early '90s, this was the worst city in the world for crime.

Today, it's the best city in the United States. Just think about it -- you've gone from one

extreme to another

REPORTER: The rate of crime committed in the transit system also fell by 13 percent, and

the number of auto thefts went down by 16 percent.

Source

The Complete Crime Numbers, Breakdown By Precinct

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

NYC rulez!!!!

[Alex+R 0]

Like AC/DC said, I feel safe in New York City

[almaty 19]

NYC rulez!!!!

NYC SUXS

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Maybe Tiger will have to go there and start chomping on people like he did in SF!

[wishbone 0]

Hope this good works continue for years not only in NY but also everywhere.

[Peikko 1,575]

No doubt this steady decline in the homicide rate can be directly related to the deterant effect of the execution rate of convicted murderers in NYC?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

No doubt this steady decline in the homicide rate can be directly related to the deterant effect of the execution rate of convicted murderers in NYC?

It's due to the deterrent effect of the fear that you, too, could have a plunger stuck up your azz. Nothing like it.

[Alex+R 0]

I don't get why he thinks it's due to the police. I'm sure they're doing a great job, but they can't stop crime on their own. It's probably more due to the fact that crime is often a result of poverty, and way fewer poor people can afford to live in NYC anymore.

[Peikko 1,575]

Ah yes, nothing like the plunger ploy, they don't like it up 'em!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

NYC rulez!!!!

How's the felony crime development is NJ doing?

Maybe the ####### just shifted a bit west across the river.

[Peikko 1,575]

That would be rather like suggesting that the illegal immigration problem in Arizona isn't being solved, just moved around a little, no?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

That would be rather like suggesting that the illegal immigration problem in Arizona isn't being solved, just moved around a little, no?

Geez, is it always about illegal aliens for you? You're obsessed. Seek help.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

NYC rulez!!!!

How's the felony crime development is NJ doing?

Maybe the ####### just shifted a bit west across the river.

Newark is going from bad to worse so maybe your theory has something to it.

Thankfully, my part of the state is still as tranquil as ever. The worst crime around here is road rage.