Decreases in every index crime category and a 9.3% drop in overall crime for August 2016, compared with 2015
New York City experienced the safest summer – in overall crimes reported – in the entire Compstat-era that began in 1994. There were 1,610 fewer crimes reported during the months of June, July and August 2016, or a 5% decrease, compared with the same period in 2015. This also marks a 73% decrease, or 73,463 fewer crimes, compared with the same period in 1994 – the initial year Compstat was implemented under Police Commissioner William J. Bratton’s first tenure leading the NYPD.
For the month of August 2016, each category of index crime experienced a decrease – resulting in 957 fewer total index crimes reported, or a 9% reduction, compared with August 2015. Murder is down one crime, or -2.9% for the month of August 2016, compared with August 2015. Also for the month of August 2016: rape is down 10 crimes, or -6.7%; robbery is down 247 crimes, or -15%; felonious assault is down 162 crimes, or -7.6%; burglary is down 289 crimes, or -20%; grand larceny is down 224 crimes, or -5.4%; and grand larceny auto is down 23 crimes, or -3.3%.
Today marks Commissioner Bratton’s final crime press briefing. For context, there were 1,946 murders in 1993. There were 352 murders in 2015. In calculating the annual reduction in murders over the ensuing two decades, it can be inferred that approximately 28,800 fewer murders have occurred in New York City since Commissioner Bratton first implemented Compstat with the late-Jack Maple in 1994.
“Detractors said it couldn’t be done. We have further reduced violence and serious crime across this city, yet again,” said Police Commissioner William J. Bratton. “The tremendous focus on a small group of criminals has resulted in these unprecedented declines in crime – as violence has increased in other American cities significantly. To the men and women of this Department, thank you for what you do every day to make this the safest big city in America.”
“Our city just experienced the safest summer since the NYPD broke ground with Compstat more than two decades ago. It is clear from our success this summer that neighborhood policing works,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Commissioner Bill Bratton has helped make our city the safest big city in America. We owe the Commissioner an extraordinary debt of gratitude for the lives he has saved and the security he has brought neighborhoods across our five boroughs. While the achievements of Commissioner Bratton can never be replicated, I have never been more confident in the future of the NYPD than I am today knowing that Chief Jimmy O’Neill will continue the department’s focus on precision and neighborhood policing as we deepen the bond between officers and the communities they serve and protect.”
Note: All crime statistics are preliminary and subject to further analysis, revisions, or change.
