New York City has seen a 2% decrease in major crime during the first few months of the fiscal year, according to a sneak peek at Mayor Eric Adams’ upcoming annual report. This drop in crime includes a 7% decrease in transit crime, a 9% reduction in car thefts, 3% fewer grand larcenies, a 4.8% dip in robberies, and a 2.8% decrease in burglaries compared to the same period in the previous year.
Mayor Adams expressed his commitment to making New York City a safer and more affordable place for families. He highlighted the administration’s efforts to prevent crime in parks, crack down on car thefts, and improve subway safety. Despite recent high-profile crimes that have made headlines, Adams emphasized that the overall trend is a reduction in major crimes.
Recent incidents on the subway, including a woman being burned alive and a violent attack with a hammer, have put residents on edge. While some data may show a stabilization of subway crime in recent years, a long-term study indicates an increase in total subway violence over the past decade. Criminology professor Aaron Chalfin noted that violent crimes on a per-rider basis have nearly doubled since 2014, with assault crimes driving the uptick in subway crime.
Chalfin’s research also revealed a strong correlation between individuals who commit violent crimes in the subway and mental health issues and homelessness. A significant portion of repeat offenders with violent crime arrests were documented as having mental health problems and experiencing homelessness at some point.
The upcoming Mayor’s Management Report is expected to provide a comprehensive assessment of city services and crime statistics. Despite the challenges posed by recent high-profile incidents, Mayor Adams remains focused on addressing the root causes of crime and ensuring the safety and well-being of all New Yorkers.
