By Bob Tannenhauser
The NYPD released the citywide crime statistics for the month of February, 2024, showing a decrease in 5 of the 7 major crime categories compared to the same period in 2023.
Murder incidents across the city declined by 22.2%, with felony assaults, burglary grand larceny, and grand larceny auto also showing declines. According to the data, rape and robbery incidents increased by 2.7% and 4.8%, respectively. The overall major crime rate decreased by 1.1%
Transit incidents spiked in January to 222, a 46% increase over January 2023, prompting a deployment in February of 1,000 additional police officers in the subway system, according to the NYPD release. This has led to a significant decrease in February to 148 incidents, although year-to-date (3/3/24) transit crime still shows an increase over the prior year. This past week Goverrnor Hochul deployed 750 National Guard troops to the subway system.
In contrast to the city, the year-to-date (March 3rd) statistics for the 20th, 24th, and Central Park precincts, encompassing the Upper West Side, show increases in 4 of the 7 major crimes categories, with only murders, grand larceny and grand larceny auto showing declines. Hate crimes on the Upper West Side for the 28-day period ending March 3rd increased to 5 from 0 the prior year, due to 3 reported incidents in the 24th precinct and 2 in the 20th. Petit larceny and misdemeanor assaults each decreased by more than 17% on the Upper West Side, while transit incidents increased by 44.4%.
The chart below shows the actual number of crime incidents on the UWS, as well as the percentage changes.
| YTD 3/3/24 | YTD 3/3/23 | % Change | |
| Murder | 0 | 3 | -100% |
| Rape | 7 | 5 | 40% |
| Robbery | 54 | 40 | 35% |
| Fel. Assault | 40 | 37 | 8.1% |
| Burglary | 59 | 23 | 156.5% |
| Gr. Larceny | 198 | 214 | -7.5% |
| GLA | 13 | 35 | -62.9% |
| Petit Larceny | 430 | 524 | -17.9% |
| Misdemeanor Assault | 89 | 108 | -17.6% |
| Hate Crimes | 5 | 0 | |
| Transit | 13 | 9 | 44.4% |
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Can you really say, as the title of the article does, that “Citywide Major Crime Rates Fall” when the decrease is a measely 1.1% on already scarily high numbers? I think that doing so gives readers a very false impression.
The upper west side numbers are very troubling. Mayor Adams was voted in as tough on crime. Not only are we not seeing a reduction on the UWS, but the increases are scary and refute a tough on crime attitude. Burglary up 156%, transit crimes up 44%, hate crimes up 500% and robbery up 35%. Pretty scary considering that the numbers were already very high and supposed to be dropping not increasing. With the increase in crime on the UWS compared to the slight 1% decrease in the city overall, one could almost assume that the UWS is being targetted and I wouldn’t doubt that for a second.
“Already scarily high numbers?” Seriously? Do you genuinely not realize that the numbers are far closer to historic lows than any historic highs?
What historic highs are you referring to, casualties of WWII?
The 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and the 2010s until Covid all had higher crime rates than we do today. Crime rates are at historic lows despite what the scaremongers want you to believe. I’m always disappointed that UWSers who take pride in trusting in science and data and consider themselves members of the reality based community throw all that out the window when it comes to local issues like crime, bike lanes and housing costs. Do your own research into the actual numbers instead of anecdotes!
Not all UWSers are members of the reality based community. And that goes for both sides of the political spectrum.
Are you too young to remember the 1970s, 1980s,1990s?
I remember 1990s.
This is not the point though. Please don’t invalidate our experience because you had it worse.
The neighborhood is in much worse shape than late 90s and we are not looking to relive your experience of the 70s.
Worse shape than the late 90’s? That’s funny. The late 90’s were way worse than we are now. Only difference is that there was no WSR in the 90s.
Some of us can gather and process information not from partisan sources only.
You can’t invalidate something that isn’t valid to begin with.
“Can you really say, as the title of the article does, that “Citywide Major Crime Rates Fall” when the decrease is a measely 1.1%“
Yes, you really can! The crime rates *are* down. Period. The Rag is doing a good job of correctly reporting that data. I don’t know why people have such a vested interest in believing the worst about things.
National guard on subway because the crime is down?
Actually, I believe the Governor openly acknowledged that the measure is intended to address perceptions, not actual crime rates. The measure is designed to make the public “feel” safer.
Of course she wouldn’t admit that crime is rampant. She said otherwise just recently.
National guard is there for a reason, no crime denying nonsense can diminish the significance of this measure.
Also to help her get votes in the lower counties. Most of us recognize this as a bold-faced political ploy. Of course, positioned where they are, they could possibly stop fare-beaters, but I’d venture a guess they are not tasked or empowered to do this.
Crime is down. Look at the numbers. Scaremongering is at an all time high though!
Connect reality to numbers gives false comfort.
Some would say believing the “reality” about things. For my tax dollars there should be a zero tolerance for crime and there shoukd be great outrage and inquiries when the figures above are not zeros.
Critical thinking brings to mind the many famous books written on what society will do in pursuit of a world where the crime rate never goes above zero.
Mayor Adam’s hands are frequently tied by the ultra liberal pro criminal, pro illegal immigrant anti police City Council.
Can someone explain to me how labels like “felony assault” get applied in order to be counted in the statistics? The police don’t qualify assaults in reports, so is it only when the DA charges with felony assault that we get a felony assault in the stats? If so, we are in big trouble because we know that our DA is basically charging nothing at all. So if I’m right in that the DA has to charge with felony assault or misdemonor assault to be included inthe statistics, then how many assaults that the DA didn’t charge for are not in the statistics?
Maybe this is something the elected officials on the UWS can work on, rather than just focus their time and budget on folks who don’t have the privilege of paying the insanely high taxes and already live here.
Numbers along never tell the whole story. An increase from 2 to 4 is 100%. A reduction from 8 to 6 is 25%. The most meaningful percentages, as any statistics person will tell you, are based on large enough samples. Look at the percentages above where the occurrences are greater than 100 – those are more meaningful. Of course, we expect the number of rapes or murders to be small – but an increase of 2 rapes (from 5) creates a different impression than saying rapes increased by 40%. And I’m not dismissing their seriousness.
Another reason the numbers are not to be believed is because they are dependent on how aggressive or not the DA is in charging people with such crimes! How many assaults are taking place that are not even being charged?
Except that they are based on crime reports to the police, not from the DA. It is too bad facts do not always match with people’s narratives.
How many crimes aren’t reported to the police? A lot, I bet. Perhaps the reason we see a drop in petit larceny is simply because the drugstores that are getting shoplifted from 3-5x per day have simply stopped telling the police.
These aren’t charges but reported criminal complaint received by police
Can you provide some proof of this? Where are you getting this information? If they are criminal complaints received from the police then how are they labelled as “felony”, etc?
Perception can be reality. Maybe part of the issue is the messaging from the electeds? Instead of gaslighting, denying, or pitting people against either other where you are either a “vulnerable person in need who just deserves more” OR a “privileged person who’s life [in their minds] has easier,” they can start acting like they represent ALL of their constituents? Sometimes, just having someone acknowledge that your concerns and feeling are genuine, and you “matter,” is all it takes to build consensus and get buy in. All this labeling and name calling needs to end. Much of it is sadly fostered by those holding elected office.
You are so correct. People these days just want to demonize others and they will use basically any opportunity to do so.
For folks who consistently argue the city is super safe/ crime rate way better than way before, are you honestly comfrotable letting your 10 year old daughter or 89 year old mother alone on the street at 10 pm or telling them don’t worry, you don’t have to look over your shoulders riding the subway because no one is going to push you down the track? When I moved to NY, as a single woman then, I went out way late to a much less fancy neighborhood and rode the subway no issues besides some creeps flashing themselves occassionally. Today, I will not do that. And for a very valid reason.
Then you had a false sense of security when you first moved to the City because crime on the subway was very likely higher then than it is now. I’ve lived in NYC for 44 years and I’ve never stood on the edge of the subway platform without surveying who was around me and I would never have my 10-year old daughter alone on the street at 10 p.m.
Regardless, this idea that “how I feel” trumps facts is ludicrous. How a person feels about crime is significantly influenced by Rupert Murdoch’s scare-mongering on Fox News and in the NY Post as well as politicians who seek to inflame. For myself, I’ll let real facts inform my feelings and perceptions.
We should also focus on the victims of the crimes, and not solely the perpetrators: https://www.city-journal.org/article/second-thoughts-in-new-york