NYPD Announces Citywide Crime Statistics for November 2020

 

Gun arrests continue to rise in the face of increased shooting violence

 The year so far has presented significant public safety challenges with gun violence continuing to afflict New Yorkers across the city. As shootings continued their upward trajectory in November, citywide shooting incidents through the first eleven months of 2020 surged to levels unseen in years.

That spike in street violence contrasts with the levels of overall crime remaining flat through the first 11 months of the year, or up a combined +0.6% (8,170 v. 8,120) in the seven major felony categories amid an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak that continues to strain the city and its police. And hate crimes, in particular, are dramatically down. Even as the pandemic prompted a spike in coronavirus-related hate crimes against those of Asian descent, it was swiftly addressed by the formation of an Asian Hate Crime Task Force that has so far helped to close 16 of 24 of those reported crimes with an arrest.

On gun violence, the NYPD’s unrelenting work to suppress it goes on. The data to date shows that our officers’ continued focus on making strong gun cases is increasingly taking hold.

Gun arrests for the month of November are up +112.3% (484 v. 228), driving a +22.2% increase in citywide gun arrests (3,793 v. 3,104) compared with the same period a year ago. Going forward, the NYPD will continue to cultivate information to arrest anyone willing to purchase, carry or sell an illegal firearm in New York City.

Still, shootings have victimized far too many. For November, there was a +112.5% (115 v. 51) increase in shootings citywide. And shootings have risen +95.8% (1,412 v. 721) through the first 11 months of 2020, compared with the same period last year. Notable in the gun violence is an emerging trend the NYPD is weaving into its precision-driven enforcement approach: 40% of those accused of a shooting have had a past gun possession arrest, while 21% of shooting victims have had one.

To serve those harmed – on both sides of the gun – our officers and citizens continue to build the kind of bonds that are essential to our shared sense of well-being. Our investigators, Neighborhood Coordination and Youth officers, as well as every uniformed officer on patrol, remain steadfast in achieving the kind of common good all New Yorkers demand.

On violent crime, homicides have also risen both for the month and the year. November saw 28 people murdered in the five boroughs, five more than were killed last November. So far in 2020, there has been a +38.4% increase (422 v. 305) in the number of victims murdered in New York City compared to last year.

“Whatever the challenge, our NYPD officers have shown innovation and determination to get the job done this year,” said Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. “Our work to reimagine the kind of policing New Yorkers deserve is always evolving, in line with our agency’s best traditions to reflect the needs of everyone in our city.”

Statistics on Index Crimes

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	November 2020	November 2019	+/-	%
Murder	28	23	+5	+21.7%
Rape	122	118	+4	+3.4%
Robbery	1,114	1,180	-66	-5.6%
Assault	1,574	1,660	-86	-5.2%
Burglary	1,303	922	+381	+41.3%
Grand Larceny	3,100	3,756	-656	-17.5%
G.L.A.	929	461	+468	-101.5%
TOTAL	8,170	8,120	+50	+0.6%

Additional Statistics For November 2020

	November 2020	November 2019	+/-	%
Transit	110	253	-143	-56.5%
Housing	402	371	+31	+8.4%
Shooting Incidents	115	51	+64	+125.5%

November Rape Breakdowns

CompStat Year	Count	Occurred Same Year	Occurred Previous Year	Occurred 2 Years Prior	Occurred 3 Years Prior	Occurred 4 Years Prior	Occurred 5+ Years Prior
2020	122	96	6	6	1	2	11
2019	118	101	4	2	3	2	6
2018	143	121	6	4	5	1	6
2017	125	111	4	1	1	0	8
2016	98	88	3	2	1	2	2
2015	118	100	7	3	2	1	5

Hate Crimes Statistics Summary from January 1, 2020 – November 29, 2020

These statistics represent the time period between January 1, 2020 – November 29, 2020 for the respective years of 2019 and 2020.

Motivation	2020	2019	+/-	%
Asian	3	3	0	0%
Black	33	33	0	0%
Disability	0	1	-1	-100%
Ethnic	0	5	-5	-100%
Gender	6	13	-7	-54%
Hispanic	0	7	-7	-100%
Muslim	4	11	-7	-84%
Other	21	14	-7	+50%
Other Corona	24	0	24	***.*%
Religion	12	15	-3	-20%
Semitic	105	208	-103	-50%
Sexual Orientation	27	51	-24	-47%
White	10	29	-19	66%
Grand Total	245	391	-146	-37%

Recent Coronavirus-related incidents fall under the anti-other category as there are primarily two motivating factors behind those crimes: The victim’s race (Anti-Asian) and the perception that they have Coronavirus. Also, all crime statistics are preliminary and subject to further analysis, revisions, or change.

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - DECEMBER 5, 2020

 

Positive Testing Rate in All Focus Zone Areas is 6.17 Percent; New York State Positivity Outside All Focus Zone Areas is 4.59 Percent     

Statewide Positivity Rate is 4.99 Percent

69 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

"I understand New Yorkers may be feeling COVID fatigue, especially now that we have entered the holiday season and the first batch of vaccines is a couple weeks away, but if there was ever a time to double down and be vigilant, it's now," Governor Cuomo said. "We continue to implement our data-driven winter plan and we are laser focused on making sure New York's hospitals have enough capacity. What's troubling is we are seeing a new trend where the majority of cases are traced to households and private gatherings. The federal government continues to overlook the black, brown, and poor communities in its vaccine plan and hasn't provided the funding necessary for the states to administer it. These are real problems, and if left unaddressed they could undermine the effectiveness of the entire program. While we won't stop fighting until these problems are addressed, New Yorkers need to do their part too. They already did the best job in the country the first time around, going from the highest infection rate to one of the lowest, and I have no doubt if we continue to stay smart, we will get through this together — stronger, tougher and more loving than before."

The Governor noted that the positive testing rate in all focus areas under the state's Micro-Cluster strategy is 6.17 percent, and outside the focus zone areas is 4.59 percent. Within the focus areas, 54,956 test results were reported yesterday, yielding 3,389 positives. In the remainder of the state, not counting these focus areas, 160,445 test results were reported, yielding 7,372 positives. 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization - 4,318 (+96)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 621 
• Hospital Counties - 56
• Number ICU - 825 (+30)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 435 (+32)
• Total Discharges - 87,473 (+445)
• Deaths - 69
• Total Deaths - 27,089

Attorney General James Charges Bronx Man for Sex Trafficking Children

 

Joint Investigation Led by AG’s Organized Crime Task Force and NYPD’s Human

Trafficking Team Marks First Time AG Has Charged Newly Enacted Crime

   Attorney General Letitia James today announced the arrest of Paul Alexander, 57, of the Bronx, a Level 3 Sex Offender, for sex trafficking children throughout New York City. Alexander’s arrest is the result of a joint investigation between the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) and the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) Vice Major Case Squad, Human Trafficking Team. This marks the first time Attorney General James has charged a defendant with the newly enacted crime of Sex Trafficking of a Child, which strengthens prosecutors’ ability to hold sex traffickers accountable.

“There is nothing more reprehensible than sexually exploiting a child,” said Attorney General James. “This individual’s alleged actions jeopardized the health and safety of our children and highlighted the critical need for these new protections that strengthen our ability to hold perpetrators accountable for these gross violations of the law. I thank the NYPD for their partnership in this investigation, and I will continue to use all the tools at my office’s disposal to hold accountable those who seek to abuse our children.”

“The NYPD and our law enforcement partners share a commitment to protect the survivors of child trafficking, and we will continue to fight on behalf of our society’s most vulnerable individuals,” said NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. “I thank and commend the NYPD detectives involved in this investigation and the New York State Office of the Attorney General for their efforts to ensure child predators are taken off our streets. The NYPD will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to eradicate the trafficking of children in our city and work to bring justice to victims of these heinous crimes.”

The investigation was named “Operation Mile High” after investigators revealed Alexander was listed as the C.E.O. of Central Jet Charter, a private aircraft charter company. Through the use of covert recording devices, social media, and undercover operations, the investigative team determined that Alexander was, in fact, trafficking children across county lines for sex. The initial investigation began in March after a female minor reported Alexander to the NYPD, alleging that Alexander sexually abused her and other underage girls, and promoted them for prostitution to other men. An undercover police officer met with Alexander who charged him a total of $300 for sexual intercourse with a 12-year-old victim and a 14-year-old victim — and encouraged the undercover officer to use alcohol and marijuana to make the victims more cooperative.

The defendant was arraigned today before Bronx County Criminal Court Judge Michael Hartofilis on a felony complaint, in which he is charged with multiple counts of Sex Trafficking of a Child, Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Child, related counts of First and Second Degrees of Promoting Prostitution, and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Alexander faces up to 50 years in prison if convicted of the top counts. Additionally, he was remanded and ordered to return to court on December 8, 2020. Both Sex Trafficking of a Child and First Degree Promoting Prostitution are class B felonies, and Sex Trafficking of a Child is a violent felony offense.

The felony complaint charge against the defendant is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Attorney General James thanks Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark for her office’s assistance in this investigation. 

New York City Housing Authority Toy Giveaways by Councilman Mark Gjonaj and Santa Clau

 

Christmas Tree & Menorah Lightings

 

Council District 13 Holiday Lights Celebration Schedule

 

MAYOR DE BLASIO DECLARES SPECIAL ELECTION DATE FOR THE 31st COUNCIL DISTRICT IN QUEENS

 

Mayor Bill de Blasio today made the following statement on the special election in the New York City Council’s 31^st District:

 

“I am declaring Tuesday, February 23, 2021 as the date for the 31^st City Council District special election to elect a Council Member to serve until December 31, 2021. This date, within the window allowed by the City Charter, will give residents the chance to make thoughtful and informed decisions about their representation.

 

Eligible Queens voters can participate with early voting, in-person voting, or by returning an absentee ballot, and I encourage everyone to make their voices heard in this special election.”

EDITOR'SNOTE:

What the mayor has left out is the fact that this election should be a Rank Choice Voting election.

 

Governor Cuomo Announces Results of State Police Thanksgiving Crackdown on Impaired and Reckless Driving

 

Troopers Issue Nearly 14,000 Tickets, Arrest 155 For Impaired Driving During Campaign Over The Thanksgiving Holiday

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State Police issued 13,887 tickets during this year's Thanksgiving traffic enforcement initiative, which targeted unsafe driving behaviors during the holiday weekend. The special traffic enforcement period, which is funded by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, ran from Wednesday, November 25 through Sunday, November 29. State Troopers also arrested 155 people for DWI and investigated 757 crashes, including three fatalities, during the holiday period. The three fatal crashes that NYSP responded to occurred in Allegany, Nassau and Orange counties.

"Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs endangers every single traveler on the road, and it simply will not be tolerated," said Governor Cuomo. "Not only during the holidays, but at all times, the message is clear - be responsible and drive sober or make plans for finding a safe ride home. It's literally that simple and by following those rules, our roads will be safer and lives will be saved."

The State Police supplemented regular patrols statewide during this crackdown with fixed sobriety checkpoints, an underage drinker initiative and the "Operation Hang Up" initiative, which targets distracted drivers by utilizing Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement patrol vehicles to better locate drivers talking or texting on handheld devices. These unmarked vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

Acting State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said, "I commend our Troopers and our local law enforcement partners for the work they do each day to keep our roads safe. State Police will continue to be highly visible throughout the holiday season, looking out for reckless and aggressive drivers. We urge drivers to do their part by making the right choices when they get behind the wheel - drive sober, follow posted speed limits and put away your smart phones."

GTSC Chair and DMV Commissioner Mark J. F. Schroeder said, "I applaud all law enforcement who took part in this mobilization to keep our roads as safe as possible. We want everyone to have a safe and happy holiday season. No one's holiday memories should be marred by a needless tragedy. If you plan to drink as part of your celebration, please do not drive. Having a plan to designate a sober driver or arrange a ride home could save a life."

As part of the enforcement, Troopers also targeted speeding and aggressive drivers across the state. Below is a sampling of the total tickets that were issued.

Speeding                       4,871

Distracted Driving             228

Seatbelt violations         1,825

Move Over Law                188