Hochul details first 'comprehensive overview' of crime trends across New York for 2023

Violent crime decreased 6% outside of New York City during first 6 months of this year when compared to first half of 2022

Gov. Kathy Hochul detailed the first comprehensive overview of crime trends across New York state for 2023, highlighting a 6% decrease in violent crime outside of New York City during first six months of this year as compared to the first half of 2022. Data collectively reported by police departments and sheriffs’ offices in 57 counties showed decreases in each of the four violent crime categories: murder (down 27%), rape (16%), robbery (5%) and aggravated assault (4%). During the same timeframe, there also was significant progress in New York City, with five of the seven serious crime categories tracked by the New York City Police Department in its weekly CompStat report declining. The most significant decreases in the five boroughs were reported in the number of reported murders (down 10%), and rapes and burglaries (down 10% each).

“Keeping New Yorkers safe is my administration’s top priority. These trends are proof positive that our smart, strategic investments and strong local, state and federal partnerships are making a difference in neighborhoods and communities across the state,” Hochul said. “I remain steadfast in my commitment to ensuring that law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations have the funding, resources and support they need to continue driving down crime to prepandemic, all-time lows.”

Hochul outlined crime trends in Albany at the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police’s Leadership Summit, during which she also detailed progress in the fight against gun violence and the level of public safety funding included in the state’s fiscal year 24 budget.

Hochul’s team said, “New York state continues to collect and make public index crime data as defined by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting program, even though the FBI has transitioned to a new data collection system. The state Division of Criminal Justice Services – the agency responsible for collecting and compiling reported crime and other criminal justice data – implemented this practice so it could continue to monitor crime trends over time, provide that data to the public and policymakers, and identify any discrepancies in reporting that may occur as agencies transition to the new federal reporting system.”

New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, “Gov. Hochul has made public safety her first priority and these data show that her investment in law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations is paying dividends for New Yorkers. I want to thank our local partners for the work they do day in and day out to improve community safety and for embracing evidence-based practices and smart strategies that not only reduce crime but help make communities whole.”

In the 57 counties outside of New York City, violent crimes involving a firearm decreased significantly in the first half of the year, with 397 fewer victims (2,046 vs. 2,443 or 16%) when compared to January through June 2022. In addition to compiling statewide crime data, the state Division of Criminal Justice Services tracks gun violence-specific metrics for police departments that receive funding, training and technical support through the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative.

GIVE police departments reported a 25% reduction (686 vs. 914) in shooting incidents with injury and 33% decrease in the number of individuals killed (121 vs. 181) as of Oct. 29, compared to the same timeframe last year. Incidents of gun violence also declined in New York City, with the NYPD reporting double-digit decreases in the number of shooting incidents and individuals shot through Nov. 5: a 26% reduction in shooting incidents (849 vs. 1,144) and 391 fewer individuals injured by gunfire (999 vs. 1,390 or 28%).

For the first half of 2023, the NYPD also reported declines in transit crime (down 4%) and petty larceny (2%), while reported burglaries decreased 2% outside of the five boroughs during the same timeframe. These positive trends were tempered by double-digit increases in motor vehicle thefts in both regions, and a 3% increase in larcenies reported outside of New York City.

The press release noted, “Seven weeks ago, Hochul announced a targeted action plan to combat vehicle thefts, which builds upon record investments in the FY24 budget that support local law enforcement agencies and community-based organizations to further drive down gun violence, reduce recidivism, address the flow of deadly fentanyl, and improve the efficacy of the court system, which was disrupted by the pandemic.”

These investments include:

•$347 million, which represents a $120 million increase from the fiscal year 2023 budget for programs designed to prevent and reduce gun violence, including but not limited to:

√ $36.4 million for the GIVE initiative

√ $25.9 million for State Police community stabilization units

√ $21 million for the SNUG street outreach program

√ $7.4 million in additional funding to establish a supervision against violent engagement program and expand the state's response to gun violence among the parolee population in GIVE jurisdictions.

•$100 million in aid for prosecution and defense funding across the state

•$31.4 million for alternatives to incarceration programs

•$20 million for pretrial services

•$11.5 million for reentry services to help individuals reintegrate to their communities after serving prison sentences

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services is a multifunction criminal justice support agency with a variety of responsibilities, including law enforcement training; collection and analysis of statewide crime data; maintenance of criminal history information and fingerprint files; administrative oversight of the state’s DNA databank, in partnership with the New York State Police; funding and oversight of probation and community correction programs; administration of federal and state criminal justice funds; support of criminal justice-related agencies across the state; and administration of the state’s sex offender registry.

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