The city saw a decrease in overall crime in 2010, but an increase in murders from last year’s record low.

According to New York City Police Department, the city recorded 526 murders this year, up from 471 in 2009 – a 13 percent increase.

The number of rapes and robberies also rose.

Despite those statistics, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly says he’s optimistic about the coming year.

“Crime continues to go down. It’s down 1.5 percent for 2010,” said the police commissioner. “We have strategies and tactics that we’ve put in place that we think work over the long term, and we’ll be using them with some adjustments, some embellishments in 2011 that I think will continue to suppress crime in the city.”

The commissioner also stressed with a new class graduating from the police academy, an additional 1,200 officers will be on the streets – starting tonight.

(Source: NY1)