The New York Metropolis Council took a more in-depth have a look at current NYPD crime statistics, as numbers present post-pandemic murders and shootings are down citywide — however felony assaults have constantly elevated.
Prime police commanders throughout the division testified Wednesday about how the document lows this 12 months in a number of main crime classes had been achieved.
“Our success is just not accidentally,” stated William Haut, the NYPD’s inspector for crime management methods.
For 2026, murders are down 24% 12 months thus far. By means of the tip of August, shootings had been down greater than 9% from 2025 — reaching the bottom variety of shootings for the reason that early Nineties, in accordance with police.
“Put the cops the place the crime is, when the crime is going on,” stated NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Authorized Issues Michael Gerber.
However it’s not all excellent news. Stats additionally present an uptick in felony assaults for the 12 months, peaking in August. Greater than half of these allegedly concerned home violence or assaults in opposition to police or different public employees.
Police commanders stated they’ve made arrests in 90% of the circumstances, and of these arrested, 20% had at the very least two prior arrests.
“This 12 months, we now have had 263 people which have been arrested three or extra occasions for felony assault, and that is up 205% in comparison with 2018,” stated Haut.
“You possibly can think about the frustration. We go and arrest somebody for felony assault, they’re again out, and so they do it once more a second time, they do it a 3rd time,” stated Gerber. “It’s irritating, clearly. We’re one piece of the legal justice system…It’s a downside.”
Some extra progressive councilmembers questioned whether or not repeatedly arresting individuals does something to truly clear up the foundation causes of why individuals reoffend.
“My query is whether or not it solves the issue of the recidivist act. And so I believe the reply isn’t any. So now my subsequent query is: What are the underlying elements of instability that may be inflicting a number of bouts of assault, for instance?” requested Councilmember Tiffany Caban.
Gerber stated there are “underlying social points that go far past something the NYPD can take care of” that will contribute to the issue, itemizing disparities in schooling and finance as examples.
Councilmembers additionally posed a number of questions relating to issues about officers both declining to take crime studies or probably downgrading fees. The police commanders who testified Wednesday stated that does occur and officers typically make errors, however added it is a matter that the division audits and takes critically.
