NYPD ANNOUNCES CITYWIDE CRIME STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER, THIRD QUARTER 2024

 

SEPTEMBER MARKS NINTH-STRAIGHT MONTH OF MAJOR CRIME DECLINES AS NEW YORK CITY ACHIEVES ONGOING QUARTERLY, YTD REDUCTIONS

15-year lows for subway crime during month and Q3, excepting the COVID era, as substantial post-pandemic decreases continue YTD

For the ninth month in a row, reductions in overall index crime prevailed in September 2024, with a 3.1 percent drop in major offenses compared to the same month last year (10,445 vs. 10,777). An 11.8 percent decrease in murder (30 vs. 34) led the monthly reductions, followed by a 9.8 percent drop in grand larceny—auto (1,295 vs. 1,435), a 7.8 percent reduction in robbery (1,332 vs. 1,445), a 3.8 percent decrease in burglary (1,046 vs. 1,087), and a 3.2 percent drop in grand larceny (4,103 vs. 4,238). Felony assault increased 2.2 percent (2,469 vs. 2,415). Reports of rape also rose 38.2 percent (170 vs. 123) in September 2024 compared to September 2023, partially reflecting New York’s recently expanded legal definition of rape to include various forms of nonconsensual sexual contact. The new law went into effect Sept. 1. During the third quarter of this year, overall major crime fell another 3.3 percent compared to the same quarter in 2023, and dropped another 2 percent, year to date, through Sept. 30. 

The New York City subway system saw another reduction in violence and disorder during September — down 8.7 percent (167 vs. 183), overall — a direct result of the NYPD’s ongoing strategy to prevent crime and provide reassurance to passengers. After seeing an increase in crime during the month of January, police officers patrolling the nation’s largest transit network immediately achieved hefty double-digit percentage drops each month thereafter, save for August’s increase of seven incidents compared to August 2023. Subway crime was also reduced in the third quarter of this year compared to the same period a year ago (down 4.8 percent), and year to date through the end of September (down 5.1 percent). Excluding the pandemic years, major crime in the transit system reached its lowest level for any September, and for any third quarter, since 2009. Just 10 incidents across the entire subway network separated this year’s year-to-date figures from besting the level achieved in 2010 (1,578 vs. 1,568). Similarly, crime that occurred on New York City public housing properties decreased by 4.4 percent year to date (4,496 vs. 4,704) through the end of September, by 5.7 percent in the single-month comparison (445 vs. 472), and by 9.5 percent over the third quarter (1,494 vs. 1,651).

The NYPD accomplished the repeated crime reductions while safeguarding a record number of demonstrations citywide, many of them related to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. More than 4,100 marches, protests, and other actions requiring adequate allotments of law enforcement personnel occurred during the 12 months since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack and Israel’s response. At each, New York City police officers maintained the rights of those who wished to voice their opinions and act peacefully, and ensured that transgressors were held accountable. Not unrelated to the fury and vitriol was the 30 percent year-to-date increase in bias incidents investigated by the NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force, fueled by 117 more anti-Jewish acts than last year (275 vs. 158). Comparing September 2024 to September 2023, 17 additional crimes were investigated by the HCTF, 13 of which were deemed anti-Jewish in motivation. 

Precision policing strategies and other proactive efforts in New York City paid dividends in recent weeks and months as NYPD officers took more illegal guns off the streets and arrested the criminals carrying the weapons. During the month of September, NYPD officers seized 466 illegal firearms citywide, adding to the 4,938 guns recovered since the beginning of this year through Sept. 30, and the 18,533 guns seized since the start of this mayoral administration. While there were 14 additional shooting incidents in September 2024 compared to September 2023 (91 vs. 77), there were 21 fewer shooting incidents during the third quarter compared to the same quarter last year (256 vs. 277), and 66 fewer shootings incidents year to date (693 vs. 759) — translating to 41 fewer victims of gun violence in New York City this year. Likewise, 35 fewer people have been murdered in New York City year to date (277 vs. 312), an 11.2 percent decrease over last year at this time. In addition to the 3,195 people arrested in New York City for illegally possessing firearms this year through Sept. 30, arrests for all major index crimes increased by 9.1 percent year to date (43,510 vs. 39,887), by 5.2 percent in the month of September compared to the same month last year (4,675 vs. 4,445), and by 7 percent during the third quarter (14,854 vs. 13,883).

“Thirty-three months ago, New York City was dealing with shootings at a 15-year high and murders at a 10-year high,” said Interim Police Commissioner Thomas G. Donlon. “At that time, the men and women of the NYPD resolved to fight back against the prevailing sense of lawlessness held by a small percentage of our city’s population. Now, the NYPD’s laser-like focus on people who illegally carry or shoot guns in our communities is driving down violence and disorder across the five boroughs. And thanks to these efforts, we have preserved lives and maintained the unity of families. While we have more to do in every neighborhood, we vow to remain relentless in this vital work.”

*All crime statistics are preliminary and subject to further analysis, revision, or change.*

Index Crime Statistics: September 2024 

	Sept. 2024	Sept. 2023	+/-	% Change
Murder	30	34	-4	-11.8%
Rape	170	123	47	38.2%
Robbery	1332	1445	-113	-7.8%
Felony Assault	2469	2415	54	2.2%
Burglary	1046	1087	-41	-3.8%
Grand Larceny	4103	4238	-135	-3.2%
Grand Larceny Auto	1295	1435	-140	-9,8%
TOTAL	10445	10777	-332	-3.1%

Index Crime Statistics: Q3 (July 1 – Sept. 30)

Murder	Q3  2024      94	Q3  2023      104	+/-        -10	%  change      -9.6%
Rape	440	366	74	20.2%
Robbery	4331	4566	-235	-5.1%
Felony Assault	7794	7659	135	1.8%
Burglary	3285	3473	-188	-5.4%
Grand Larceny	12730	13294	-564	-4.2%
Grand Larceny Auto	4094	4438	-344	-7.8%

Index Crime Statistics: YTD (through Sept. 30)

	YTD  2024	YTD 2023	+/-	%  change
Murder	277	312	-35	-11.2%
Rape	1257	1099	158	14.4%
Robbery	12569	12394	175	1.4%
Felony Assault	22306	21204	1102	5.2%
Burglary	9618	10436	-818	-7.8%
Grand Larceny	36488	37901	-1413	-3.7%
Grand Larceny Auto	10850	11963	-1113	-9.3%
TOTAL	93365	95309	-1944	-2.0%

Additional Statistics: Sept. 2024

	Sept. 2024	Sept. 2023	+/-	% Change
Transit	167	183	-16	-8.7%
Housing	445	472	-27	-5.7%
Shooting Incidents	91	77	14	18.2%

Additional Statistics: Q3 (July 1 – Sept. 30)

	Q3 2024	Q3 2023	+/-	% Change
Transit	515	541	-26	-4.8%
Housing	1494	1651	-157	-9.5%
Shooting Incidents	256	277	-21	-7.6%

Additional Statistics: YTD (through Sept. 30)

	YTD 2024	YTD 2023	+/-	% Change
Transit	1578	1662	-84	-5.1%
Housing	4496	4704	-208	-4.4%
Shooting Incidents	693	759	-66	-8.7%

Hate Crime Statistics: Sept. 2024

(Representing Sept. 1 – Sept. 30 for calendar years 2024 and 2023)

Motivation	2024	2023	Diff	% Change
Asian	2	5	-3	-60%
Black	9	7	2	29%
Ethnic	4	0	4	***
Gender	2	0	2	***
Hispanic	1	0	1	***
Jewish	29	16	13	81%
Muslim	3	1	2	200%
Religion	2	1	1	100%
Sexual Orientation	5	10	-5	-50%
Grand Total	57	40	17	43%

Hate Crime Statistics: YTD (through Sept. 30)

(Representing Jan. 1 – Sept. 30 for calendar years 2024 and 2023)

Motivation	2024	2023	Diff	% Change
Asian	25	38	-13	-34%
Black	27	38	-11	-29%
Ethnic	24	16	8	50%
Gender	25	16	9	56%
Hispanic	7	10	-3	-30%
Jewish	275	158	117	74%
Muslim	35	8	27	338%
Religion	16	8	8	100%
Sexual Orientation	56	70	-14	-20%
White	6	20	-14	-70%
Grand Total	496	382	114	30%

Note: Statistics above are subject to change upon investigation, as active possible bias cases June be reclassified to non-bias cases and removed from counted data.

Mastermind of Multimillion-Dollar Penny-Stock Scam Indicted for Fraud and Obstruction

A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia returned an indictment charging a Michigan man with defrauding investors in Minerco Inc. (stock ticker MINE) — leading to millions of dollars in investor losses — as well as obstructing a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proceeding by destroying evidence.

According to the indictment, Bobby Shumake Japhia (Shumake), 56, also known as Robert Samuel Shumake Jr., Robert Japhia, and Shaman Bobby Shu, of Michigan, allegedly ran Minerco’s day-to-day operations and organized a scheme to defraud investors in the publicly traded securities of Minerco by, among other things, making or causing to be made materially false and misleading statements to the public, including in press releases, in an effort to artificially inflate the share price of, and demand for, Minerco stock. Beginning in or around January 2020, Minerco purported publicly to be in the business of developing, marketing, and distributing psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or psychedelic mushrooms.

As alleged in the indictment, Shumake concealed his role with Minerco, even though he controlled all aspects of Minerco, by recruiting another individual, Julius Jenge, to serve as the nominal chief executive officer of Minerco because Shumake had a criminal history and negative news articles about Shumake were available on the internet. To further conceal the scheme, Shumake allegedly made materially false and misleading statements to investigators from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority who were investigating Minerco.

Shumake allegedly used an alias to promote Minerco on an investor message board and provided the false and misleading impression that he was not affiliated with Minerco and was an independent investor. Shumake also allegedly recruited others to promote Minerco on internet message boards to further create the false and misleading impression that the public had a favorable view of Minerco.

Shumake allegedly sold nearly one billion shares of Minerco that he covertly acquired and then caused himself or entities under his control to receive at least $2.5 million from the sale of the shares. Shumake’s scheme to defraud allegedly caused the share price of, and demand for, Minerco’s securities to artificially increase, ultimately resulting in Minerco investors’ losing millions of dollars.

After learning of an SEC investigation into Minerco, Shumake allegedly obstructed the SEC proceedings by deleting the contents of at least one Minerco email account, which Shumake used to conduct Minerco business.

Shumake is charged with one count of securities fraud and one count of obstruction. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count.

The chief executive officer of Minerco, Julius Jenge, was arrested earlier this year on charges of securities fraud related to a scheme to defraud investors in Minerco.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; SEC Inspector General Deborah Jeffrey; and Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group made the announcement.

The SEC Office of Inspector General and USPIS are investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Kyle Crawford of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case.

If you believe you are a victim in this case, please contact the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness Unit toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or by email at victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov. You are also encouraged to visit the webpage for this case at www.justice.gov/criminal/case/united-states-v-bobby-shumake-japhia.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

Statement from Speaker Adams on Scheduled Council Public Meetings on City of Yes Zoning for Housing Opportunity Proposal and Continued Need for an Actionable Housing Plan to Address City’s Housing Crisis

 

On Monday, October 21 and Tuesday, October 22, the New York City Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises will hold two days of public meetings on the Department of City Planning’s “City of Yes Zoning for Housing Opportunity” citywide zoning reform proposal. October 21 will be reserved for testimony from Administration officials and October 22 will be a public hearing reserved for testimony from the public. Announcing these public meetings, Speaker Adrienne Adams released the following statement.

“New Yorkers in every community need access to safe, stable, and affordable housing to remain in our city and succeed. As the Council approaches its upcoming public meetings on the mayoral administration’s City of Yes: Zoning for Housing Opportunity proposal, we recognize that zoning reform is one important component to address the housing shortage facing New York City. Yet, zoning reform alone is not a housing plan and cannot address the wide-ranging housing needs of New Yorkers. Addressing the housing crisis requires more than just changes to zoning – it demands holistic solutions to make homes affordable, strengthening tenant protections, removing barriers to housing vouchers, expanding pathways to affordable homeownership, strengthening agencies’ capacities, and investing in neighborhoods. While reviewing the Administration’s zoning proposal, the Council will put forward a thorough housing action plan for our city that matches the scale of the housing challenges facing New Yorkers. We will pursue a full range of solutions that meets the diverse needs of our constituents to ensure that our city helps New Yorkers access the safety and stability we all deserve. We encourage all city residents and stakeholders to participate in the Council meetings and provide specific input that can help shape a housing plan with concrete actions and investments for New York City.”

Members of the public who wish to testify at the public hearing on Tuesday, October 22nd can sign up in person, or online, in advance by visiting council.nyc.gov/landuse. Written testimony may be submitted up to 72 hours after the hearing has been adjourned to landusetestimony@council.nyc.gov. If you need non-English language interpretation, please email translationservice@council.nyc.gov or call (212) 788-6936 at least five days in advance of the hearing, and include the name and date of the hearing, your full name, telephone number, and email address.

“Undesign the Redline” Exhibit on History of Redlining and Housing Discrimination Unveiled in New York City Hall

 

Interactive Installation Explores History of Housing Segregation, Connection to City’s Current Housing Crisis 

Department of City Planning (DCP) Director Dan Garodnick today unveiled an installation in the City Hall Rotunda of “Undesign the Redline,” an interactive installation on the history of redlining and racial housing segregation in New York City. Created by the design studio Designing the We, the exhibit connects the history of New York City’s racial housing segregation to the city’s current housing crisis. As the city faces a generational housing crisis, with racial and socioeconomic segregation, a historically low 1.4 percent rental vacancy rate, and half of New York renters paying more than 30 percent of their income in rent, the exhibit educates viewers on one of the root causes of the ongoing crisis. Members of the public can visit the installation by joining a public tour of City Hall. Select photos are available here. 

“The roots of segregation and racism still linger in our housing policies, contributing to the housing crisis that New Yorkers face today,” said Mayor Adams. “To undo the racism of the past, we must confront the impact it continues to have on our city today. ‘Undesign the Redline’ is a vital educational tool that will ensure everyone who walks through the doors of City Hall leaves with a better understanding of our history. As our administration continues to work tirelessly to advance critically needed housing, I encourage all New Yorkers to join us in undesigning the redline and delivering on the racial and housing justice our city deserves.”  

“Many New Yorkers may be shocked to learn that our city still bears the scars of discrimination, segregation, and concentrated poverty, which shaped New York City and virtually all cities across the United States in the 20th century.  This did not happen by accident. Decades of decisions led us here, many of which were expressly designed to separate people by race and ethnicity,” said First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. “Undesign the Redline is a searing reminder of our past and an urgent call to action: we can and must build a city where every neighborhood is open to New Yorkers from every walk of life.”  

“We must grapple with the history of discrimination in New York if we are going to create a more just, integrated city. As we work to tear down the ‘invisible walls’ of exclusionary zoning that still keep our neighborhoods segregated, Undesign the Redline is an urgent reminder of the forces that have shaped our city and our neighborhoods,” said Dan Garodnick, Director of the Department of City Planning. “The work to advance racial justice is more vital than ever, and by critically examining our history, this installation can help us craft the path forward.” 

“This exhibition is a well-crafted reminder of the painful history of redlining, and the devastating legacy of housing segregation in New York City,” said Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. “Because we know that where we live matters, we need housing of all types in all neighborhoods across the city. As we continue to make history with back-to-back record-breaking years in housing production, we are also looking to the future to allow for a little more housing in every neighborhood to undo our legacy of segregation and advance our fair housing goals. As we recently did through our Where We Live NYC library campaign, we invite all New Yorkers to come to the City Hall rotunda and reflect on the powerful message of “Undesign the Redline” as we continue to come together for a more inclusive City.”  

“Redlining has left a lasting scar on New York City’s neighborhoods,” said Annabel Palma, Chair and Commissioner of the New York City Commission on Human Rights. “Decades of discriminatory practices have segregated communities and deprived people of color of equal opportunities for stable housing. There is no room for housing discrimination in our city. If anyone has experienced or witnessed discrimination in housing, I urge them to contact the Commission on Human Rights through our Infoline (212) 416-0197 or our website nyc.gov/humanrights.” 

“Addressing our city’s housing crises requires an understanding of our history and legacy of redlining and racial segregation,” said Executive Director for Housing Leila Bozorg. “The Undesign the Redline exhibit is a reminder that the inequities we still grapple with today are the result of intentional policy choices, and require equally intentional policy choices to undo. I look forward to working with our colleagues in the City Council to advance fair housing policies, including our collective efforts to build a little more housing in every neighborhood through the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity.”  

Designing the We originally launched the Undesign the Redline exhibit in the Bronx in 2015. Now celebrating nine years, the exhibit has traveled across the city and country, elevating stories of how structural racism and inequality were designed into places through policies like redlining, urban renewal, and exclusionary zoning. The exhibit has been used in campaigns for fair housing legislation, zoning reform, and community wealth building. The exhibit has also been displayed across the city — from Brownsville and Gowanus to East Harlem and the Bronx to the Financial District — as well as across the country. New Yorkers have engaged with Undesign the Redline, collaboratively telling the story of how the city reached a housing crisis. Telling the story of why neighborhoods look the way they do today, and why New Yorkers deal with so many crises — from housing to health to wealth — is as vital as ever.  

The installation comes as DCP and the Adams administration work to address racial inequities within the city’s housing. City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, the most pro-housing zoning proposal in New York City’s history, was recently approved by the City Planning Commission and is being considered by the City Council. DCP estimates that the proposal could produce as many as 108,850 new homes over the next 15 years through a carefully crafted series of zoning changes to enable “a little more housing in every neighborhood” and tear down invisible walls of exclusionary zoning that have cut off housing opportunity in many neighborhoods.  

In addition to City of Yes, HPD is developing “Where We Live NYC 2025”— an update to the city’s comprehensive fair housing plan, which originally informed the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal. The administration is also implementing Local Law 167, which establishes a “Fair Housing Framework for New York City.” The new law helps to ensure that every neighborhood plays an equitable role in addressing the city's housing crisis through community district-level housing production targets and an assessment of unique community housing needs. 

The installation of Undesign the Redline also comes on the heels of the largest civil rights settlement in city history for a housing discrimination settlement against Parkchester Preservation Management. In the settlement, announced in August, the New York City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) imposed $1 million in civil penalties, the highest ever ordered for violations under the housing provisions of the New York City Human Rights Law and secured 850 apartment units to be set aside for housing voucher holders, the most ever secured in a CCHR settlement.  

The Adams administration has made record investments towards creating and preserving affordable housing. In July, Mayor Adams announced back-to-back record breaking years in both creating and connecting New Yorkers to affordable housing. In June, the Adams administration delivered an on-time, balanced, and fiscally-responsible $112.4 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Adopted Budget that invests $2 billion in capital funds across FY25 and FY26 to HPD and the New York City Housing Authority’s capital budgets. In total, the Adams administration has committed a record $26 billion in housing capital in the current 10-year plan as the city faces a general housing crisis. Under Mayor Adams’ leadership, the city is fulfilling its 2024 State of the City commitment to build more affordable housing, including being ahead of schedule on advancing two dozen affordable housing projects on city-owned land this year through the “24 in ‘24” initiative, reopening the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program waitlist after being closed to general applications for nearly 15 years, and creating the Tenant Protection Cabinet to coordinate across agencies to better serve tenants.   

Department of City Planning 

The Department of City Planning (DCP) plans for the strategic growth and development of the City through ground-up planning with communities, the development of land use policies and zoning regulations applicable citywide, and its contribution to the preparation of the City’s 10-year Capital Strategy. DCP promotes housing production and affordability, fosters economic development and coordinated investments in infrastructure and services, and supports resilient, sustainable communities across the five boroughs for a more equitable New York City.  

In addition, DCP supports the City Planning Commission in its annual review of approximately 450 land use applications for a variety of discretionary approvals. The Department also assists both government

agencies and the public by advising on strategic and capital planning and providing policy analysis, technical assistance and data relating to housing, transportation, community facilities, demography, zoning, urban design, waterfront areas and public open space. 

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES CLOSURE DATE OF RANDALL’S ISLAND HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND RELIEF CENTER

 

Administration’s Asylum Seeker Management Strategies Have Helped Lead to 14 Straight Weeks of Shelter Census Declines, $2 Billion in Savings  

Following February 28 Closure, NYC Parks to Restore Underlying Athletic Fields and Adjacent Parkland 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced that the Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center on Randall’s Island will close at the end of February. Thanks to the administration’s successful advocacy for executive orders at the border — which have significantly reduced the rate at which asylum seekers are arriving in New York City — and the administration’s successful asylum seeker management strategies — including reticketing, case management, and 30- and 60-day notices — the number of asylum seekers in city shelters has decreased for 14 straight weeks and is now at its lowest point in over a year. The city has already begun to decrease capacity at Randall’s Island, taking down the largest residential tent structure (which held more than 750 cots) and returning one of the athletic fields to eventual community use following restoration. Over the coming months, the city will continue to gradually reduce the population on-site. Following the site’s closure in February, the city will invest in restoring the remaining impacted athletic fields and parkland.

“We’re not out of the woods yet, but make no mistake, thanks in large part to our smart management strategies and successful advocacy, we have turned the corner on this crisis,” said Mayor Adams. “We’re not scrambling every day to open new shelters — we’re talking about closing them. We’re not talking about how much we’re spending — we’re talking about how much we’ve saved. And thanks to today’s announcement, in a few months, we’ll be talking about how much we’re investing in restoring Randall’s Island’s incredible fields and parks for community use. I want to thank the Randall’s Island Park Alliance and every New Yorker who has partnered with us to manage this unprecedented influx of asylum seekers and make sure that our newest arrivals have the same opportunity that we all have to pursue the American Dream.”

“From the onset of this crisis, our primary objective as a city has been to respond compassionately and effectively to this humanitarian challenge. The ability to decompress the Randall’s Island humanitarian relief center over the summer and planned decommissioning of this site in the coming months demonstrates the effectiveness of our asylum seeker management strategies,” said Chief of Staff Camille Joseph Varlack. “We extend our gratitude to the Randall’s Island Park Alliance for their partnership and support regarding this site.”  

“Since the spring of 2022, we have had nearly a quarter million people come through our system in New York City,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “Roughly seven in 10 of those seeking asylum have moved on to the next part of their journey, and today’s announcement is another step on our path through our humanitarian response. With 14 straight weeks of lower numbers of new arrivals seeking asylum, we are now able to transition from this large humanitarian relief center, which is a step in the right direction. Thank you to the teams that have been and continue to work as part of our humanitarian response. We look forward to additional steps in this next phase as they are appropriate given the need.”

"The ability to close the Randall’s Island humanitarian relief center marks the latest milestone we have reached as an administration addressing this humanitarian crisis,” said Mayor’s Office of Asylum Seeker Operations Molly Schaeffer. “It serves as a testament to the tireless effort of our teams and the commitment of community-based partners that have stepped up to help meet the needs of the over 218,000 individuals who have received services since the spring of 2022 — 70 percent of whom have moved on to the next steps in their journeys. New York City continues to lead in this unprecedented response, and this news helps show the world the tremendous progress we have made — and continue to make — every day. "

Since the first buses of asylum seekers arrived in 2022, New York City has continued to focus on building the structures needed to help migrants take their next steps towards self-sufficiency. The city’s Asylum Application Help Center — a first-in-the-nation entity — has helped complete more than 72,000 applications for work authorization, temporary protected status, and asylum. The city has also purchased 47,000 tickets to help migrants reach their preferred destinations and help reduce long-term costs for New York City taxpayers. Staff have also conducted over 630,000 case management sessions with migrants dedicated to helping them identify self-sufficient pathways out of city shelter, in addition to implementing the city’s 30- and 60-day notice policies. As a result, more than 158,000 migrants who requested services from the city have taken their next steps in their journeys towards self-sufficiency.

Governor Hochul Announces Major Reduction in Gun Violence and Signs Legislation Strengthening New York's Nation-Leading Gun Laws

 

Gun Violence in New York State Down 47 Percent Since Governor Hochul Took Office

New Law Requires Gun Sellers To Post Tobacco-Style Warnings Regarding Health and Safety Risks

New Law Takes Action Against Dangerous “Pistol Convertors” That Can Turn Handguns Into Automatic Weapons

New York State has Seized Over 7,700 Illegal Guns This Year

Alongside former U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords, New York government officials and other gun safety advocates, Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that gun violence in New York State has declined 47 percent since she took office in 2021. Governor Hochul also signed a package of six bills that will strengthen New York’s nation-leading gun laws by requiring gun sellers to post tobacco-style safety warnings, taking action against dangerous “pistol convertors” and providing other new tools and resources to help protect more New Yorkers from gun violence.

“Gun violence is an epidemic that is tearing our country apart. Thoughts and prayers won't fix this, but taking strong action will,” Governor Hochul said. “That's why in New York, we're taking bold steps to protect the people of our State. I am proud to sign this bill package that will help enhance safety across New York. While we are taking expedient action to enhance New York State's nation-leading gun laws, we recognize that gun violence is a nationwide problem. I once again urge Congress to follow our lead and take immediate action to pass meaningful gun violence prevention measures. Lives depend on it.”

Shooting incidents with injury in New York City and communities served by the 28 police departments participating in the State’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative have declined 47 percent during Governor Hochul’s administration, and the most recent data reported by GIVE agencies show gun violence has declined to pre-pandemic levels.

Governor Hochul also gave an update on New York’s progress in getting illegal guns off the street and keeping firearms away from those who pose a danger to themselves and others. The Governor highlighted that law enforcement agencies statewide have seized over 7,700 illegal guns so far this year, including 569 ghost guns. Additionally, courts across New York have utilized the State’s Red Flag law to issue over 22,000 extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) to date: 92 percent of them after Governor Hochul partnered with the Legislature to strengthen the State’s Red Flag law following the racially motivated murders at the Tops supermarket in Buffalo on May 14, 2022.

The legislation signed today by Governor Hochul included:

Legislation S6649/A2882 requires firearms dealers and gunsmiths to post warnings at sites where firearms are sold and distribute warnings at the time of sale. These warnings must state that firearms increase the risk of suicide, death during domestic disputes and/or unintentional death to children.

Legislation S7365B/A10053A adds the definition of “pistol converter” to Penal Law Section 265.00, which details definitions relating to firearms. Pistol converter is defined as a device that can be attached to the slide of a semi-automatic pistol and interfere with the trigger mechanism, allowing the user to discharge a number of shots rapidly or automatically with one continuous pull of the trigger. The legislation also amends General Business Law to require the gun industry to take “reasonable steps” to prevent the installation and use of pistol converters on their products.

Legislation S3340/A5873 requires the court to notify the statewide registry of orders of protection and warrants when a temporary and/or final extreme risk protection order (ERPO) is issued, ensuring that ERPOs are tracked in the statewide registry of orders of protection and warrants.

Legislation A7717B/S8589A allows police agencies instead of individual police officers to be listed as the petitioner in an ERPO proceeding.

Legislation S8479A/A9862A requires credit and debit card issuers to use the firearms and ammunition retailers merchant category code (MCC) created by the International Organization for Standardization in 2022 for businesses whose highest sales value is from the combined sale of firearms, firearms accessories, or ammunition, and it empowers the State Attorney General to bring an enforcement action for any violation that is not cured within 30 days, which can result in fines up to $10,000 for noncompliance. New York becomes the third state, joining California and Colorado, to enact this requirement.

Legislation S9760/A10356A requires a firearms licensing officer, upon the issuance of a license, to provide information about statewide resources related to safe storage of firearms, child access prevention and firearm violence prevention, as well as information on specific county and local laws and regulations related to child access prevention and safe storage of firearms. The legislation also requires the State to develop and implement a public awareness campaign regarding safe storage and child access prevention, requires those materials to be provided in digital format and available online, and mandates they be updated annually.

Attorney General James Announces $52 Million Multistate Settlement with Marriott over Data Breach

 

Marriott Data Breach Affected Millions of New York Customers, Settlement Requires Hotel to Improve Data Security and Pay Penalties

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced a $52 million multistate settlement with Marriott International, Inc. (Marriott) over a multi-year data breach of one of its guest reservation databases. A multistate investigation found that one of Marriott’s subsidiaries, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide (Starwood), had intruders in its system for four years without getting detected, leading to a data breach that affected 131.5 million customers nationwide, including millions of New Yorkers. Today’s settlement with 50 attorneys general requires Marriott to significantly overhaul and strengthen its data security to protect customers’ private information and pay $52 million in penalties, of which New York will receive $2.29 million.

“When people book a hotel stay for travel or work, they shouldn’t have to worry that their personal data and credit card information will be stolen,” said Attorney General James. “Marriott let cybercriminals live in its database for years and millions of people had their information stolen as a result. Protecting customers’ private information should be a top priority, not a last resort, for all companies. I am proud to stand with my fellow attorneys general to hold Marriott accountable and to protect customers.”

Starwood operates hundreds of hotels nationwide, including hotels in New York. Marriott acquired Starwood in 2016 and took control of its computer network and databases. A multistate investigation discovered that from July 2014 until September 2018 intruders accessed and stayed on Starwood’s databases undetected for years. This intrusion led to the breach of 131.5 million customers’ personal information. The theft impacted people nationwide and exposed personal information, including contact information, gender, dates of birth, legacy Starwood Preferred Guest information, reservation information, and hotel stay preferences, as well as a limited number of unencrypted passport numbers and unexpired payment card information. 

Today’s settlement requires Marriott to significantly strengthen and continually improve its cybersecurity practices. Some of the specific measures include:

• An independent third-party assessment of Marriott’s information security program every two years for a period of 20.
• Data minimization and disposal requirements, which will lead to less customer data being collected and retained.
• Implementation of a comprehensive Information Security Program, including regular security reporting to the highest levels within the company, including the Chief Executive Officer, and enhanced employee training on data handling and security.
• Increased vendor and franchisee oversight, with a special emphasis on risk assessments for “Critical IT Vendors,” and clearly outlined contracts with cloud providers.
• In the future, if Marriott acquires another entity, it must promptly assess the acquired entity’s information security program and develop plans to address deficiencies as part of the integration into Marriott’s network.

As part of the settlement, Marriott will allow customers to delete their data that is stored with the hotel if they wish to do so. Marriott must also offer multi-factor authentication to customers for their loyalty rewards accounts, such as Marriott Bonvoy, and conduct reviews of those accounts to ensure there is no suspicious activity. 

Joining Attorney General James in signing today’s settlement are the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.