Shootings, Murders, Robberies, and Burglaries driven down across New York City
For the month of April 2023, New York City saw a 31.4% drop in shooting incidents compared to April 2022 (72 v. 105). The decrease in shootings extends the 25.4% decrease in shooting incidents citywide through the first four months of 2023 compared to the same period a year ago (294 v. 394) – meaning 112 fewer people have been shot this year compared to last year. Additionally, homicides fell by 5.9% (32 v. 34) for the month of April 2023.
The NYPD continues its steadfast commitment to reducing gun violence. In April 2023, the department continued to make historic numbers of gun arrests, effecting 375 gun arrests that resulted in 340 seized firearms. Overall, police officers have seized 2,281 guns from the streets of New York City through the first four months of 2023.
Overall index crime saw an uptick in April 2023 compared to the same period a year ago, increasing by 3.8% (9,981 v. 9,616) and driven by felony assaults, auto theft, and, to a lesser degree, grand larceny. There was also 9.3% increase in reported rape (118 v 108). The department will continue to encourage victims of this historically underreported crime to come forward. At the same time, New York City saw a drop in three of the seven index crime categories in April 2023, including the 5.9% reduction in homicide as cited above, a 3.8% decline in robbery (1,220 v. 1,268) and a 12.3% decline in burglary (1,095 v. 1,249).
Robberies also decreased by 17% (39 v. 47) in the city’s transit system in April as major crime in transit fell 6.7% (167 v. 179) for the month, extending the 8.1% (696 v. 757) decrease in major crime in transit through the first four months of 2023. This directly correlates to the ongoing work to increase the NYPD’s visibility, coverage, and engagement with those who use the subway. This continued investment of deployed police personnel comes as subway ridership last week surpassed 4 million riders for the first time since the pandemic, reflecting a new level of confidence in the system.
The decline in burglary for the month of April includes, notably, decreases in the burglaries of both residences and commercial establishments. Retail theft – otherwise known as shoplifting – also declined in April 2023 by 7.9% as the NYPD has maintained a sustained focus on ensuring public safety in the city’s bustling commercial corridors and business districts.
The department has convened more than 700 days of continuous Gun Violence Strategies Partnership meetings, subjecting every case involving a gun to real-time, multijurisdictional analysis by a dedicated array of partner agencies. This has led to more people who are directly responsible for gun violence – those few individuals who shoot people, use a gun to rob people, or carry illegal guns – improving the likelihood of their being remanded after appearing in criminal court.
The NYPD has found creative, constructive approaches to overcome the proliferation of auto theft – a crime driven by the well-documented exploitation of vulnerabilities in the ignition system of certain Kia and Hyundai models. The solutions include technology and education on the benefits of GPS devices that can locate and track a stolen vehicle.
Through April, NYPD officers made 4,234 arrests in the seven major crime categories, a 10.5% increase compared to the number of such arrests in the same period last year – and the highest number of arrests in the seven major crime categories for any April in 25 years.
“Our pledge to all of those we serve – in every neighborhood and across every borough – is that we will keep stepping forward to not only drive down crime and disorder but to ensure that people have confidence in the city’s public safety landscape. We know that people must not only be safe, but must feel safe as well,” said Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. “More work certainly lies ahead. But the NYPD remains dedicated to leveraging all facets of the department to ensure the most efficient and effective community outreach, youth engagement, and focused public safety deployment.”
*All crime statistics are preliminary and subject to further analysis, revision, or change.*
Index Crime Statistics: April 2023
| April 2023 | April 2022 | +/- | % Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | 32 | 34 | -2 | -5.9% |
| Rape | 118 | 108 | 10 | -9.3% |
| Robbery | 1220 | 1268 | -48 | -3.8% |
| Felony Assault | 2153 | 2103 | 150 | 7.1% |
| Burglary | 1095 | 1249 | -154 | -12.3% |
| Grand Larceny | 3980 | 3915 | 65 | -1.7% |
| Grand Larceny Auto | 1283 | 939 | 344 | 36.6% |
| TOTAL | 9981 | 9616 | 365 | -3.8% |
Additional Statistics For April 2023
| April 2023 | April 2022 | +/- | % Change |
Transit | 167 | 179 | -12 | -6.7% |
Housing | 503 | 456 | 47 | 10.3% |
Shooting Incidents | 72 | 105 | -33 | -31.4% |
