NYC's safety record has improved dramatically over the past 25 years, according to NYPD statistics, defying Donald Trump's warnings of a potential federal takeover.
In the heart of America, New York City continues to shine as a beacon of safety. Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Kaz Daughtry recently declared that the city is the safest big city in the country, a claim backed by the latest crime statistics.
The city's crime landscape has seen a significant transformation. Felony assaults, while fluctuating, stood at 29,461 in 2024. However, other major crimes have shown a more promising trend. Rapes have sharply fallen from 2,068 in 2000 to 1,748 in 2024. Robbery has fallen by 11%, with 9,076 victims in 2025.
Major felony crimes, including murder, rape, felony assault, robbery, burglary, and grand larceny, are decreasing compared to 2024, with a 5.7% drop in seven major categories. Murders and shootings are near historic lows, with murder rates falling below one per day for the first time since before the pandemic, and shooting incidents and victims reaching record lows in the first seven months of 2025.
Despite some major felonies remaining above pre-pandemic levels, the city is experiencing a continued downward trend in violent crime and overall major felony offenses in 2025 versus previous years.
However, some specific offenses remain elevated compared to pre-2020 levels, and assaults remain a stubborn issue, which may affect public perception of safety. Crime complaint data through mid-August 2025 shows year-to-date murder numbers are similar to or slightly higher than 2024 but significantly lower than long-term historical averages (15 and 32 years).
The NYPD has played a crucial role in this transformation. In the past seven months, the NYPD has taken more than 22,900 illegal guns off the streets, seized over 100,000 illegal motorcycles, dirt bikes, scooters, and "ghost cars", and led a significant decrease in crime over the last 25 years.
Mayor Eric Adams echoes the sentiments of the deputy mayor, stating that the NYPD is the finest police department in the world and has the resources, expertise, and resolve to keep driving crime down. He believes the Trump administration can best help New York by restricting gun access and helping the NYPD get illegal firearms off the city streets.
The city's homicide rate in 2024 was 4.7 per 100,000 residents, according to a Rochester Institute of Technology report. This is lower than several major cities in states that voted for Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
Governor Kathy Hochul has expressed outrage at the suggestion of a federal takeover of the NYPD, calling it an insult to the city's law enforcement officers. There is no evidence in current crime statistics supporting a surge in crime robust enough to justify President Trump's expressed interest in taking control of the NYPD.
In 2025, there have been 188 murders in NYC from the beginning of the year to Aug. 10, a drop of 23% since the same time last year. Robberies decreased by 11% in 2025. Hate crimes fell by over 25%, with 331 victims in 2025.
Moreover, the crime figures in the subways in 2022 were the lowest in recorded history, excluding the two pandemic years. July 2022 saw the lowest number of shootings and shooting victims in recorded history in New York City. Grand Larceny of Motor Vehicles was at its lowest in 2024, with 14,199 offenses. Burglary has dropped exponentially since 2000, from 38,352 offenses to 13,070 in 2024.
In conclusion, New York City is currently experiencing a decrease in crime, making it the safest big city in America. The city's law enforcement, led by the NYPD, continues to work tirelessly to keep the city safe and drive crime down. The data portrays NYC as trending safer in most major crime categories after pandemic-related spikes, though some specific offenses remain elevated compared to pre-2020.
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