NYPD Announces Fewest Annual Murders & Shooting Incidents Ever Recorded in the Modern Era

With the close of 2017, New York City marks three new crime reduction benchmarks: the first time the total number of index crimes has fallen below 100,000; the first time the number of shooting incidents has fallen below 800; and the first time the total number of murders has fallen below 300. This reduction in murders has resulted in the lowest per-capita murder rate in nearly 70 years. Additionally, several other index crime categories have achieved historic reductions, including: robbery, burglary, and grand larceny auto.

For 2017, there were 96,517 crimes reported, compared with 102,052 in 2016. This is a reduction of 5,535 crimes, or -5.4%. There were 290 murders reported, compared with 335 in 2016. This is a reduction of 45 crimes, or -13.4%. There were 1,446 rapes reported, compared with 1,442 in 2016. This is an increase of 4 crimes, or +0.3%. There were 13,950 robberies reported, compared with 15,528 in 2016. This is a reduction of 1,578 crimes, or -10.2%. There were 20, 013 felonious assaults reported, compared with 20,917 in 2016. This is a reduction of 904 crimes, or -4.3%. There were 12,048 burglaries reported, compared with 13,035 in 2016. This is a reduction of 987 crimes, or -7.6%. There were 43,082 grand larcenies reported, compared with 44,484 in 2016. This is a reduction of 1,402 crimes, -3.2%. There were 5,688 grand larceny autos reported, compared with 6,311 in 2016. This is a reduction of 623 crimes, or -9.9%. There were 789 shooting incidents reported, compared with 997 in 2016. This is a reduction of 208 shootings, or -20.9%.

“Crime in New York City has reached a new low,” said Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill. “The murder rate hasn’t been lower since the Korean War. As we celebrate this New York miracle, we continue deepening relationships with the public, emphasizing the shared responsibility we have to our safety. I am confident we can do more. And we will. It is an honor to lead this organization and be a part of the change we are seeing across the nation’s safest city.”

“Last year was the safest year in modern New York City history. To see crime levels as low as we have today, you’d have to go back to 1951, when the Dodgers played in Brooklyn and a slice was 15 cents. I want to thank Police Commissioner O’Neill and the entire NYPD for continuing to raise the bar and remaining steadfast in their commitment to keeping our city safe,” said Mayor de Blasio. “I want New Yorkers to know, this is just the beginning. As our neighborhood policing vision deepens and residents work with police officers in common cause, the flow of information will stop crimes before they happen and we will continue to build trust between communities and law enforcement. This department never rests on its laurels and America’s safest big city will get even safer.”

There were 2,441 crimes reported in the Transit Bureau in 2017, compared with 2,429 in 2016. This is an increase of 12 crimes, or +0.5%. There were 4,844 crimes reported in the Housing Bureau in 2017, compared with 5,238 crimes in 2016. This is a decrease of 394 crimes, or -7.5%

Historical NYC Uniform Crime Report Murder Count

Year Count Rate Per 100K NYC Total Population

1939 291 3.9 7,454,995

1940 275 3.6 7,454,995

1941 268 3.5 7,454,995

1942 265 3.5 7,454,995

1943 201 2.6 7,454,995

1944 228 3.0 7,454,995

1945 292 3.9 7,454,995

1946 346 4.3 7,891,957

1947 333 4.2 7,891,957

1948 315 3.9 7,891,957