Despite the sinking economy and fewer police officers on the street, violent crime is dropping in the city.
New York City Police Department figures released today show overall crime dropped 13 percent in the first three months of this year compared to the same period in 2008.
The murder rate has dropped 23 percent.
There have been 80 homicides in the city through March 22nd, 24 percent fewer than last year.
Abductions, robberies, and felony assaults also decreased. There have been 248 reported abductions so far this year compared to 328 by this time last year. There have also been 3,770 robberies compared to 4,493 in 2008. Felony assaults have dropped to 3,013 from 3,258.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly is scheduled to testify before the City Council today to discuss the effects of recent budget cuts on the department.
Next year’s preliminary budget calls for the smallest police force since 1990.
(Source: NY1)
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2 Responses
Could it be that violent crime was drug related, and what moves the illegal drug business is affluent upper class consumers of drugs (the innter city types are sellers, but not typically buyers). As the economy declines, the demand falls, since things like Crack are luxuries. Less Wall Streeters buying drugs, less drugs being traded, less crime.
The test of this hypothesis is whether consumption of expensive brands of liquor is falling (also a luxury good), and perhaps whether the rate of rape is falling (since it is non-economic and should move independently).
drugs should be decriminalized since it should be treated like alcoholism an addiction not a crime, then you would take away the incentive for illegal activity.