New York City continues to experience a reduction in crime at the outset of 2017. Several crime categories posted historic lows for the month of January, including murder and shooting incidents.

For the month of January 2017, there were 7,992 overall index crimes reported, compared with 8,011 in January 2016. This is a reduction of 19 crimes, or -0.2%. There were 20 murders reported in January 2017, compared with 22 in January 2016. This is a reduction of 2 crimes, or -9.1%. There were 110 rapes reported in January 2017, compared with 101 in January 2016. This is an increase of 9 crimes, or + 8.9%. There were 1,228 robberies reported in January 2017, compared with 1,328 in January 2016. This is a reduction of 100 crimes, or -7.5%. There were 1,588 felonious assaults reported in January 2017, compared with 1,679 in January 2016. This is a reduction of 91 crimes, or -5.4%. There were 1,081 burglaries reported in January 2017, compared with 1,081 in January 2016. These numbers are equal, resulting in a 0.0% change. There were 3,485 grand larcenies reported in January 2017, compared with 3,330 in January 2016. This is an increase of 155 crimes, or +4.7%. There were 480 grand larceny autos reported in January 2017, compared with 470 in January 2016. This is an increase of 10 crimes, or +2.1%. There were 58 shooting incidents reported in January 2017, compared with 59 in January 2016. This is a reduction of one shooting, or -1.7%.

“2017 is picking up where 2016 left off, reducing violence and driving crime down further,” said Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill. “I am extremely proud the members of the Department are maintaining their focus, ensuring the safety of all New Yorkers while targeting the relative few responsible for the majority of violence. We will continue to strengthen the collective bond between our communities and the police who protect them through neighborhood policing, our crime fighting model that is now in more than half the precincts citywide.”

“We’ve begun this year building on the historic successes of last year by continuing to reduce violent crime through the proven strategies of precision and neighborhood policing,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Amidst the encouraging signs we’re seeing to start 2017, we’re also investing more to keep our officers safe on the beat and revamping training facilities to ensure our officers have the training to meet the complex challenges they face every day. Equipped with the tools and training they need to do their jobs effectively, and provided the protection they deserve, the NYPD will continue to root out crime and keep New York City the safest big city in the nation.”

There were 209 crimes reported in the Transit Bureau in January 2017, compared with 212 in January 2016. This is a reduction of 3 crimes, or -1.4%. There were 405 crimes reported in the Housing Bureau in January 2017, compared with 413 in January 2016. This is a reduction of 8 crimes, or -1.9%.

(YWN Desk – NYC)