NEW YORK, NY – On the bright side, things in New York are not as bad as they were last year. That was the message from the city after releasing the August 2023 crime statistics report.
Crime rates in New York City for August 2023 saw a notable reduction, driven by decreases in violence and the effective execution of proactive policing strategies, according to the city.
According to the latest data, shooting incidents in August fell by 23.5% compared to August 2022, with 88 incidents reported this year as opposed to 115 the previous year. The downward trend is part of a larger decline in shootings of 26.1% through the first eight months of the year, amounting to 315 fewer people being shot compared to last year. The number of homicides also fell by 10%.
The NYPD’s gun-violence reduction strategies appear to be working, with the department making a historic 342 gun arrests in August alone. Through the first eight months of the year, officers have seized 4,611 guns and made 2,916 gun arrests.
New York City saw declines in five of the seven index crime categories in August. These included a 3.2% decline in murder, a 23.4% drop in rape, a 6% reduction in robbery, a 15.1% decline in burglary, and a 2.8% drop in grand larceny. Hate crimes also decreased by 18%. One area of concern was an increase in grand larceny auto by 24.3%, primarily involving specific Kia and Hyundai models.
In the subway system, major crime decreased by 6.6% in August, emphasizing the NYPD’s efforts to improve safety in the city’s key transportation network.
The NYPD is also collaborating with businesses and community leaders to expand the Merchants Business Improvement Program across Queens. The program, currently active in the 103rd, 114th, and 109th Precincts, has 142 participating businesses and has issued 83 trespass affidavits.
In a statement, Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban praised NYPD officers for their ongoing efforts. “The men and women of the NYPD work tirelessly each day and night to advance public safety and quality of life in New York City,” he said.