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New York City Safer Than Ever Before?
Associated Press
New York Daily News via YellowBrix
December 30, 2009
NEW YORK – New York is on pace to record fewer murders in 2009 than in any year in recent memory – and overall crime is plummeting, too, officials said Monday.
“All of the experts said it couldn’t be done, particularly in a down economy, but we’ve done it and we should all feel very proud,” Mayor Bloomberg boasted in announcing the news Monday at a swearing-in ceremony for new police recruits.
New figures show the number of murders and the number of major crimes both poised to drop nearly 11% since last year – with murders dropping from 523 to 461 and major crimes dropping from 116,522 to about 104,341.
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The record-low 461 murders so far marks the second time in decades when the number of murders dropped below 500.
The last time was in 2007, when 496 people were killed in the city.
Bloomberg said 461 murders is still “461 too many,” but called the progress in murder reduction “simply astounding when you think that a couple of decades ago the city routinely experienced about 2,000 homicides a year.”
The dramatic improvement in murders – down 29% since 2001 when 649 people were killed – tracks a similar drop in other major crimes.
NYPD figures show major crimes down 35% since 2001, with rapes down 38%, robbery down 34% and felony assault down 29%.
“At the beginning of the year there were a lot of naysayers who, because of the economic crisis, predicted that crime had nowhere to go but up,” NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly said. “They underestimated the resolve of the men and women of the [police] department.”
Bloomberg and Kelly credited the safer streets to the Operation Impact program that floods high-crime area with rookie cops and to new technology that enables police to respond quickly to crime.
The technology “pushes information out after crime happens to investigators in the field,” Kelly said, then cops do their jobs.
“The cops have been absolutely terrific. They’ve haven’t let up one bit,” he said.
BSPD88
over 3 years ago
2112 Comments
I have been visiting NYC frequently for the past several years [Mainly Manhatten], I have been attending the Macy's Day Parade annually for the past four or five years wihtout any problems. The NYPD is very accomandating to LEO from out of the area. I to attended the NYC Police graduation winter of 2007, people were friendly and asked a lot of questions thinking I and fellows officers were NYPD opposed to out of the area Officers. I agree, I encourage others to visit NYC, so much to see and do.
uncledennis1
over 3 years ago
22238 Comments
I visited the "Apple" June 2007 when I attended the NYPD graduation. I found the citizens very friendly. I did a lot of walking and rode the subway. I recommend anyone who has not visited NYC to get off your buns and take a trip. I will treasure my experience. I felt very safe.
NYTRDT1
over 3 years ago
1554 Comments
Too bad they fudge the numbers. COMPSTAT!!!!
raisacombs
over 3 years ago
2 Comments
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leo52011
over 3 years ago
602 Comments
I like how they compare murder and homicides. Most people dont know the difference.
Anonymous
over 3 years ago
Right... COMPSTATS is number 1 priority to the High Command, because politics dictate so... The problem I got with that is that at the PCT level as well as Central Booking...(84PCT for me) Charges are reduced for the sake of numbers... You guys (NY) know I mean...
All of that, so that Czar Bloomberg can stand out as a "Top crime fighter"... Give me a break...
The guys at the Sectors know better ....
DarkBlue
over 3 years ago
4880 Comments
The Numbers ARE fudged.......& have been for at least 20 years..... that I personally know.
SSDD in all of New York.....including Long Island. When you see it happen before your very eyes you then wake up to what's really going on.
Funny how the Penal Law Felonies always somehow turn into Misdemeanors and therby get put in the Minor Crime File. Bloomberg is one of those bean counters that seems to drop some beans on the floor and sweep them under the rug.
Oncethere2506
over 3 years ago
274 Comments
The credit belongs to the "working cop" of NYC. These officers while being screwed at every turn from the empty suits in the "Crystal Palace", at 1PP and the mayor's office, have managed and continue to do a job that all the psycho babble "experts", said couldn't be done.
lb5020
over 3 years ago
6 Comments
NUMBERS MAY BE FUDGED AND ROOKIES NOT LEARNING HOW TO POLICE BUT RATHER ORDERED TO ISSUE SUMMONSES...
s3sk
over 3 years ago
3308 Comments
Well if I didn't work for free..... lol we have 4500 extra people doing it for free every day.
brooklynsergeant
over 3 years ago
4396 Comments
Yes crime is down and Czar Michel Bloomberg, who bought his third term as Mayor for about 1 Billion Dollars, takes full credit for the drop. Let's get real Mikie, it is the hard working Men and Woman of the NYPD, who makes your sorry ass look good. It is not your bean counters and political hacks, it is real people doing a really good job. So, stop taking the bows for the stellar performance of the Ground Pounders, Sluths and all employee's of the NYPD.
Anonymous
over 3 years ago
We are always glad to hear that murders decline in any given year and NYPD can be proud of their many fine Officer who make it happen! Metro areas are generally rivited with high crime and our LEOs have taken a hit this year by gunfire. This has risen steadily and should give many grave concern. Many of our nations finest have paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep our cities and our streets safe. Now we ask Mayor Bloomberg to get behind those whose "Watch" in NYC and others all across this country reinstate the death penaty for not only cop killers but those perps who with cold and caltulated intentions savagely take innocent lives with no mercy or remorse! Many cops have lost their lives to gunfire. The Justice System is broke and in bad of an overhaul. The death penalty for killing a cop should be automatic with no future down the road not even a cell to hunker down. Executions would deter the perps from ever getting back on the streets to kill again and no chance of some smart lawyers who gets big $$$ to find a hole for the accused to slip thu the cracks and prey on society with their evil ever again! And to boot it would elimainate over crowding and the American taxpayers burdent to keep the garabage alive and still doing business inside! Death is final. To the cop it means lives and families destroyed forever. Children w/out parents, Wifes w/out husbands and husbands w/out their best support. their wives. It is inhumane to let animals out when they are found guilty of the most henious crimes. To get real stattistics go behind the scenes and follow a cop home after each day of putting their lives on the line and all the training and prepardness cannot match a perps delivevery with a Uzi or Sat nite special. Thank God every day for those who sacrifice so much to keep Americas streets safe and only want to do their sworn duty and go home each and every day to their loved ones just like you Mr. Mayor! Thanks NYPD for paving the way and setting the bar a little highe each year. with pride, courage, and integrity.*****
BklynsFinest347
over 3 years ago
2016 Comments
NYPDALT said it, it's all a numbers game, smoke & mirrors. But I can say that the city's WAY safer now than back in the 80's & 90's, now those were bad times and you don't have to be a cop to know that! Bloomy & Kelly make it seem as though crime is completely eradicated from the streets. WRONG! There will always be perps out there, like it or not, or else we'd be out of a job!! LOL
Irishcop1961
over 3 years ago
36852 Comments
Well said fplasencia.
godfatherjkr
over 3 years ago
164 Comments
Yeah we make him look good but he needs to give somthing back to us, maybe back us up when we need it. The other thing what new technology were still using typewriters lol.