New York City Police Department released its latest crime rate statistics on Monday, showing that overall violent crime in New York City remains at historic lows. The number of murder cases in the first four months of this year hit a record low for the same period, with the Bronx experiencing the most significant drop, becoming the area with the most noticeable improvement in public safety across the city.
The authorities stated that as summer approaches and outdoor activities increase, crime rates typically show seasonal increases. The police department will strengthen deployment on the existing basis to maintain the recent downward trend in crime.
According to the statistics released by the police department on Monday, the number of murder cases in New York City from January to April this year was lower than the record for the same period in 2018. 2018 is generally considered one of the best years for public safety in New York City since the tracking of crime data began. The data also shows a slight decrease in the number of shooting cases and victims of shootings in the city this year; for April alone, gun violence decreased by over 18% compared to the same period last year.
These figures indicate that after a significant increase in crime rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, crime rates in New York City have been steadily decreasing in recent years. The police department pointed out that the areas with the most noticeable decreases are precisely the communities that have historically had relatively high crime rates.
The Bronx saw one of the largest drops in major crime rates in April. The borough recorded four murder cases last month, reaching a historic low; shooting cases decreased by over 50% compared to the same period in 2025, with a reduction of over 60% in the number of shooting victims. In the same month, Manhattan recorded four murder cases, Queens four cases, Brooklyn seven cases, while there were no murder cases reported in Staten Island. Robbery and motor vehicle theft cases in the Bronx also declined by 24% and 44%, respectively.
Improvements in crime rates were also observed in public housing. The police stated that there were significant decreases in murder, shooting, and robbery cases in government buildings under the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), resulting in an overall crime reduction of 9% in NYCHA housing complexes across the city.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch mentioned that the decrease in crime reflects the effectiveness of law enforcement strategies guided by data, including cracking down on illegal firearms and dismantling violent gangs and criminal organizations. She stated that this approach has brought about “substantial and measurable” reductions in crime citywide and will continue to be the core direction of police work in the coming months.
However, the authorities noted that there has been an increase in the number of individuals under 18 involved in shooting cases recently, while the number of underage victims has remained relatively stable.
To counter these trends, the police have established “Youth Violence Safety Zones” and increased police presence on commuting routes, bus stations, and school perimeters. Police data indicates that within the deployment periods, there has been a decrease of over 60% in both shooting cases and the number of victims in these designated areas. As the summer approaches, the police will implement the “Summer Violence Reduction Program”, deploying up to 3,800 officers in 40 precinct areas covering 72 key zones for fixed night patrols. The deployment areas include public housing and the subway system.
Regarding public transportation, major crime incidents have remained relatively steady. In the first four months of this year, the New York City subway and other public transportation systems reported 711 major crime incidents, slightly lower than the 715 incidents during the same period in 2025.