NEW YORK, NY – As Staten Island grapples with a significant rise in violent crime, questions are being raised about what its secession would mean for New York City’s overall crime statistics. According to NYPD data reported by the New York Post, murders on Staten Island have increased by 129% compared to last year, climbing from seven to 16.
While citywide murders have seen a 10% decline, and major crimes are down by 0.2%, Staten Island presents a contrasting picture. The borough has experienced a 17% overall increase in major crimes as of September 10, making it the only borough with such a trend in both murder rates and major crime categories.
District Attorney Michael McMahon called the spike in crime “wholly unacceptable,” pointing to “misguided and harmful policies” as contributing factors. McMahon indicated that there is work to be done to address the situation.
Staten Island’s increase in crime comes amidst renewed calls for the borough to secede from New York City, partly fueled by concerns about the migrant crisis. If the secession were to happen, New York City’s crime statistics could potentially improve, shedding light on how differing crime rates can impact larger statistical trends.