NYPD ANNOUNCES FEWEST SHOOTING INCIDENTS, SHOOTING VICTIMS, AND MURDERS IN RECORDED HISTORY FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THE YEAR

 

Major Crime Declined 8% Citywide with Decreases Across Every Borough in February and 1,100 Fewer Reported Crimes Year-to-Date

Public Housing Sees Safest Start to Year in Recorded History with Fewest Shooting Incidents, Shooting Victims, Murders, and Robberies

Burglary Dropped Nearly 20% in February, Down Year-to-Date to the Lowest Level in Recorded History

Retail Theft Fell 24.7% in February Despite Traditionally Increasing During Winter Months

Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch today announced that the NYPD delivered the fewest shooting incidents, shooting victims, and murders in recorded history for the first two months of the year. For January and February combined, the city had 83 shooting incidents and 97 shooting victims, beating the previous all-time lows of 92 and 105, set in 2025 and 2019, respectively. So far this year, the city has recorded 32 murders, beating the previous all-time low of 38 set in 2018.

These historic reductions drove an overall 8% decline in major crime citywide, with decreases in every borough and 1,100 fewer crimes reported year-to-date. Of note, burglary dropped nearly 20% citywide in February to the lowest level in recorded history year-to-date, and retail theft fell 24.7%.

The NYPD also delivered the safest start to a year in our public housing [1.1]with the fewest shooting incidents, shooting victims, murders, and robberies for the first two months of the year. February alone also marked record lows across those categories.

The NYPD also delivered the safest start to any year in public housing developments across the city with the fewest shooting incidents, shooting victims, murders, and robberies for the first two months of the year.

“Once again, the NYPD is demonstrating how targeted, data-driven policing is reducing crime and keeping communities safe,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “In the first two months of this year, we have seen the fewest shooting incidents, shooting victims, murders, and burglaries in recorded history for January and February combined. The men and women of the NYPD brought major crime down in every borough and there were 1,100 fewer reported crimes than last year. From our public housing – which had historic lows in crime – to our streets and subways, we will always stay focused on keeping New Yorkers safe, and I thank every member of the NYPD for their continued work in getting us here.”

The NYPD continues to combat violent crime and shootings through its Winter Violence Reduction Plan, which deploys up to 1,800 uniformed officers to nightly foot posts across 64 zones in 33 precincts, public housing, and the subway system. Since its inception in January, major crime is down 23.1% and shootings are down 66.7% in the zones.

Citywide, overall major crime fell nearly 8% (7,596 vs. 8,250) for February and declined across every borough.

Murders plummeted by a staggering 33.3% (16 vs. 24) for February, marking the second fewest murders for any February on record.

Shooting incidents rose slightly in February by 2.4% (43 vs. 42) with only one more incident. Shooting victims increased by only seven more victims, or 16.3% (50 vs. 43). When combined with January's numbers, shooting incidents and shooting victims are still at the lowest levels in recorded history.

Burglary declined 19.8% (784 vs. 977). Year-to-date, burglary is down 22.3% (1,678 vs. 2,160) with 482 less burglaries, marking the fewest for any year-to-date in recorded history.

Grand larceny fell 6.8% (3,014 vs. 3,233).

Robbery decreased 6.4% (919 vs. 982).

Felony assault fell 6.1% (1,910 vs. 2,035).

Auto theft declined 5.8% (792 vs. 841).

In the month of February, the number of reported rapes increased by 1.9% (161 vs. 158) compared to February 2025. The rise in reported incidents since September 2024 is partly attributed to legislative changes which rightfully broadened the legal definition of rape in New York State to now include additional forms of sexual assault. The NYPD continues to encourage survivors of sexual assault to come forward and report these incidents.

Retail theft in the month of February fell 24.7% (3,285 vs. 4,365), despite typically rising during the winter months. The decline reflects the department’s focused approach: identifying the patterns driving these crimes, concentrating resources at high-propensity locations during peak hours, and shifting from pass-through enforcement to sustained investigation.

Crime in public housing declined 14.7% (371 vs. 435) in February and 12.1% (785 vs. 893) year-to-date. February alone also marked record-low shooting incidents, shooting victims, murders, and robberies in public housing. Compared to last year, shooting incidents decreased by 45.5% (6 vs. 11), shooting victims decreased by 36.4% (7 vs. 11), and robberies decreased by 33% (42 vs. 63).

Below ground, transit crime increased 18.5% (192 vs. 162) in February, a difference of 30 incidents. The increase coincided with record cold temperatures and snow in February, when ridership patterns shifted and the department paused ejections from the transit system for violations of the rules during the extreme weather. February saw a 61% decrease in ejections compared to January. The rise in transit crime was largely driven by felony assaults and nonviolent grand larcenies, which made up 27.1% and 51.6% of all transit crimes in February, respectively. Felony assaults on NYPD officers increased by 41.7% (17 vs. 12), representing 32.7% of all total felony assaults. Nonviolent grand larcenies were largely driven by thefts of unattended items, which surged 450% (22 vs. 4), and thefts from sleeping passengers, which rose 42.1% (27 vs. 22). In response, the NYPD has deployed approximately 140 additional cops a day into the transit system. Finally, Manhattan, which has the largest ridership of any borough, had a decrease of over 20% in overall index crime in February, while the Bronx had an increase of 116.7%.

In addition to these focused deployments, the department continues targeted efforts to protect young people across the city. At the start of the school year, the NYPD implemented its School Safety Plan, modeled after the Violence Reduction Plan. These zones focus on the areas where young people are most at risk — commuter corridors, bus stops, and routes to and from school. Since inception in September 2025, overall youth-related crime is down 56.7% (109 vs. 252), shooting incidents are down 71.4% (4 vs. 14), and shooting victims are down 75% (4 vs. 16) in the zones during deployment hours.

Previously, the department reported alleged hate crimes that were still under review. The NYPD will now report hate crimes that have been investigated and officially confirmed as such by the Hate Crimes Task Force. This updated methodology will provide a more accurate representation of confirmed hate crimes in the city. For the month of February, the NYPD recorded 38 hate crimes.

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

Index Crime Statistics: February 2026

	February  2026	February    2025	+/-	%% Change  % Change
Murder	16	24	-8	-33.3%
Rape	161	158	3	1.9%
Robbery	919	982	63	-6.4%
Felony Assault	1,910	2,035	-125	-6.1%
Burglary	784	977	-193	-19.8%
Grand Larceny	3,014	3,233	-219	-6.8%
Grand Larceny Auto	792	841	-49	-5.8%
TOTAL	7,596	8,250	-654	-7.9%

Additional Statistics: February 2026

	February 2026	February 2025	+/-	% Change
Transit	192	162	30	18.5%
Housing	371	435	-64	-14.4%
Shooting Incidents	43	42	1	2.4%

Hate Crime Statistics: February 2026

(Representing February 1 – February 28 for calendar year 2026)

Motivation	2026
Age	0
Asian	1
Black	4
Gender	0
Hispanic	0
Jewish	21
Muslim	1
Religion	4
Sexual Orientation	6
White	0
Grand Total	38

Note: Statistics above reflect the updated methodology for reporting on hate crimes. 

Defendant Charged with Damaging the Brooklyn Headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch Movement

 

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, a complaint was unsealed charging Dan Sohail with intentionally damaging religious property, specifically the global headquarters for the Chabad-Lubavitch movement (Chabad Headquarters) in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Sohail was taken into federal custody earlier today and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Clay H. Kaminsky.

“Americans should be free to practice their faith without fearing defacement of their sacred places,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “The Department of Justice will not tolerate attacks on houses of worship, and will vigorously prosecute those who carry them out.”  

“As alleged, the defendant’s conduct — driving his vehicle back and forth into an entrance of the synagogue five times — caused damage to a sacred religious institution,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph R. Nocella for the Eastern District of New York. “Our Office will not tolerate conduct that endangers the safety of that community or any of our diverse communities. We will continue to protect religious gathering spaces to ensure worshippers are free to safely congregate.”                      

“Dan Sohail allegedly rammed his vehicle five times into the Chabad Headquarters during a packed memorial service,” said Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle of the FBI New York Field Office. “Sohail allegedly jeopardized dozens of lives and damaged one of our city’s sacred synagogues. The FBI and the NYPD will continue to protect our community’s religious institutions to ensure a safe place for all worshippers.”

“Every New Yorker deserves to live in a safe city where they can practice their faith freely and without fear,” said Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch of the New York Police Department. “The Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn is a sacred place for many Jews in New York City and around the world, and the purposeful destruction of this property is unacceptable. We will always work to ensure that those who violate the law are held accountable, and I thank our NYPD investigators, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney's office for working swiftly to pursue justice in this case.”

As alleged in the complaint, on the evening of Jan. 28, Sohail drove to the Chabad Headquarters located on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York. The Chabad Headquarters was hosting an event that evening which was attended by dozens of people, marking the anniversary of the death of the movement’s leader. When Sohail arrived at the side entrance of the building, he exited his vehicle and moved barriers that were set up to protect the building, which includes a synagogue and religious gathering spaces. After gesturing for various congregants to move away, Sohail returned to his vehicle and drove his car into the building’s side entrance. He then reversed his vehicle and accelerated into the entrance four additional times. The impact knocked the entrance door off its hinges. No one was injured in the incident.

The charge in the complaint is an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of the charge, Sohail faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison.

Attorney General James Announces Indictment, Arrest, and Arraignment of NYPD Sergeant on Manslaughter Charge

 

Sergeant Tiffany Howell Was Off-Duty When She Struck Manuel Boitel’s Vehicle, Causing His Death

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the indictment, arrest, and arraignment of Tiffany Howell, 47, of Warwick, Orange County, on the charges of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (a class B Felony), Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a class C Felony), Vehicular Manslaughter in the First Degree (a class C Felony), and two counts of Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree (a class D Felony). The indictment alleges that on January 22, 2026, Sergeant Howell drove her personal vehicle while intoxicated and in a manner that caused the death of Manuel Boitel. Sergeant Howell was off-duty at the time.

Howell was arraigned today by Judge George Fufidio at Westchester County Court. Judge Fufidio set bail at a $250,000 bond, or a $500,000 partially secured bond, with a $100,000 cash alternative. Sergeant Howell is due back in court on March 18 before Judge Anne B. Bianchi. The maximum sentence on the top count is eight and one-third to 25 years in prison.

Attorney General James alleges that at 11:37 p.m. on January 22, in Westchester County, Sergeant Howell was driving south in the northbound lanes of the Taconic State Parkway at more than 50 mph when she crashed head-on into the car driven by Mr. Boitel, causing his death. Attorney General James alleges that Sergeant Howell was intoxicated at the time. Mr. Boitel was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.

Pursuant to New York Executive Law Section 70-b, the Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person, by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

Criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until found guilty at trial or by plea.

MAN INDICTED FOR MURDER IN FATAL GAS EXPLOSION IN BOSTON SECOR HOUSE

 

One Resident Killed, 11 Injured; Defendant Allegedly Took Stove to Sell for Crack Cocaine 

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced that a man was indicted on seconddegree Murder, Burglary, Assault and other related charges for allegedly instigating a gas leak in an apartment building which resulted in an explosion that killed a tenant. 

District Attorney Clark said, “This defendant allegedly entered his ex-girlfriend’s apartment to steal her stove which he was planning to sell in exchange for drugs. His alleged disregard for the residents set in motion a chain of events that claimed the life of an innocent man, injured 11 others and has upended the lives of the residents. 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Samuel Calderon, 55, address unknown, was arraigned today on a total of 17 charges- two counts of second-degree Murder, four counts of first-degree Assault, five counts of second-degree Assault, first-degree Burglary, second-degree Burglary, third-degree Burglary, first-degree Reckless Endangerment, second-degree Criminal Contempt and Petit Larceny before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Alvin Yearwood. Remand is continued. He is due back in court on May 18, 2026.

According to the investigation, shortly after midnight on January 24, 2026, the defendant allegedly entered his ex-girlfriend’s apartment on the 13 th floor of 3475 Bivona Street in the Boston Secor Houses. Calderon allegedly removed the stove and by so doing caused a gas leak. He is seen on video surveillance wheeling the stove down the hall on a dolly. The gas seeped to upper floors and at approximately 12:37 a.m., as fire crews responded to the building the gas ignited in a 17th floor apartment, causing an explosion that collapsed the ceiling of the 16th floor hallway onto Ronald McCallister, 60, killing him. The explosion caused a fire which injured 11 people, one of them critically burned. Calderon was arrested by police outside the building four days later when he returned to check the mailbox.

District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detective Patrick Horkan from the 47th Detective Squad and Detective Brianna Costantino from Bronx Homicide for their work in the investigation.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.

Governor Hochul Directs State Intelligence and Resources to Keep Sensitive Sites and Locations Secure Amid Ongoing Attacks in Iran

Governor Hochul: “I directed that my intelligence communities, my cyber experts here in the State of New York, coordinate with local law enforcement as well as federal law enforcement to make sure we're doing everything we can to keep locations secure… I also want to speak directly to Iranian New Yorkers that you are safe here. We will continue to ensure that you belong here and that you feel that the State of New York is doing everything we can to protect you. And the same with Jewish communities who also feel that there could be retribution against them. And I want to let them know that we're taking this all very seriously. We'll not tolerate any hate or retaliation against anyone who calls New York home because of what's happening.”

Hochul: “These decisions have real consequences... We've seen wars launched with promises of swift impact and swift closure. But regions have been left unstable before. So we just want to make sure that this is done right, that the risks are fully understood, and this is a consequential moment for our country and, indeed, the world... From New York State, we just want honest, steady leadership and to understand that Americans are tired of wars and they do not see how this keeps them safer, which is again my number one priority.”

Governor Kathy Hochul today delivered remarks on the ongoing attacks in Iran. Under the Governor’s direction, state intelligence has cooperated with local and federal law enforcement to prioritize the safety of New Yorkers and places of worship for Jewish and Muslim communities. Governor Hochul is calling for transparency and steady leadership from the Trump administration.

My number one job is keeping New Yorkers safe, and my focus is, right now, very much on the unfolding situation in Iran.

First of all, our hearts go out to the family members of the service members — I believe the number is up to four now of American brave heroes who lost their lives in this enterprise — and to those who are now in harm's way. And as an abundance of caution, since word first arose, I directed that my intelligence communities, my cyber experts here in the State of New York, coordinate with local law enforcement as well as federal law enforcement to make sure we're doing everything we can to keep locations secure, whether it's places of worship for the Jewish communities, whether it's places of worship for the Muslim communities, or any place of gathering — what we think could be under threat. So we're increasing our presence at sensitive sites.

I also want to speak directly to Iranian New Yorkers that you are safe here. We will continue to ensure that you belong here and that you feel that the State of New York is doing everything we can to protect you. And the same with Jewish communities who also feel that there could be retribution against them. And I want to let them know that we're taking this all very seriously. We'll not tolerate any hate or retaliation against anyone who calls New York home because of what's happening.

Now, this is also a threat. Iran's regime has been abhorrent for decades. It oppresses its own people. It supports terrorism. It threatens our allies and pursues dangerous ambitions. No one is ever going to defend that regime. Full stop. But the scale of what is happening now demands answers. This has been described by the President as the largest military offensive the world has ever seen. So, what is the objective here?

Is this going to result in boots on the ground? Is this going to return to a time of the endless wars that Americans are so tired of? In the President's own words, he said — on Election Day, he said, “No more wars.” So we have a lot of questions and deserve answers. And ultimately, what does success look like?

So these decisions have real consequences. They're going to have an impact on energy costs. And, the Strait of Hormuz is where the vast majority of the world's oil comes through. It's going to have a direct effect on the pump right here in New York State, probably in a matter of days, if not hours, as New Yorkers are going to again see the impact of these decisions outside their own controls.

So these are — we've been there before. We've seen wars launched with promises of swift impact and swift closure. But regions have been left unstable before. So we just want to make sure that this is done right, that the risks are fully understood, and this is a consequential moment for our country and, indeed, the world.

And we just want — from New York State, we just want honest, steady leadership and to understand that Americans are tired of wars and they do not see how this keeps them safer, which is again my number one priority.

 

State Senator Julia Salazar - Tomorrow: Free Tenant Support

 

DEC Commissioner Lefton and Attorney General James Take Enforcement to Protect Hempstead Bay

 

Lawsuit Filed to Stop Pollution Discharges from Harbourview Shoppes in Roslyn

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton and New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against Harbourview Realty LLC to force the company to stop discharging pollutants that are affecting Long Island water quality. In the complaint New York State alleges the company is violating the Clean Water Act and is seeking an immediate cease to illegal activities, as well as civil penalties.   

“DEC is committed to holding polluters accountable,” said DEC Commissioner Lefton. “The facility's ongoing noncompliance with environmental law required immediate action to protect local residents and the environment. I am grateful to Attorney General James for partnering with DEC on this case to immediately end the ongoing contamination of the Roslyn community.”  

“Clean water is a basic right for every New Yorker," said Attorney General James. "For too long, Harbourview Shoppes has polluted Hempstead Bay with illegal discharge, putting families and communities in Roslyn at risk and violating our environmental laws. I am proud to partner with DEC to fight this unlawful pollution and protect Long Island’s waters." 

The ongoing pollution being discharged from Harbourview Shoppes in the Village of Roslyn, Nassau County, to the municipal storm sewer is negatively impacting Hempstead Bay water quality and is in direct violation of the Clean Water Act.   

New York State, along with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, are taking joint civil action against Harbourview Realty LLC, MRL Realty Corp., and Mary Hauptman, as owners and/or operators of Harbourview Shoppes. The lawsuit is seeking injunctive relief to eliminate illegal, unpermitted discharges, including contaminants, to the municipal storm sewer system and civil penalties for discharging pollutants into waters of the United States. 

DEC’s investigation discovered illegal, unpermitted discharges from Harbourview Shoppes’ on-site French drain system that captures the Shoppes’ grease, oils, foam, suds, fecal coliform, bacteria and contaminated surface runoff. Through illicit pipe connections, the system discharges from the shopping center to a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) owned and operated by Nassau County, which connects to a second MS4 owned and operated by the Village of Roslyn. Harbourview Shoppes does not have an approved State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit or coverage under the General permit despite repeated attempts by DEC to bring the facility into compliance.   

New York State will continue to closely monitor the facility, collect additional data, and hold the facility accountable for any and all violations that occur during this legal process.