Governor Kathy Hochul shared encouraging news about crime in New York state, highlighting a 6% decrease in violent crime outside of New York City for the first six months of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The information comes from data collected by police departments and sheriffs’ offices across 57 counties.
Decreases Across Violent Crime Categories
The detailed data revealed improvements in all four violent crime categories. Murder decreased by an impressive 27%, while rape saw a notable 16% decline. Additionally, robbery went down by 5%, and aggravated assault showed a positive decrease of 4%.
City Progress: Declines in Serious Crimes
In New York City, the NYPD reported positive shifts in five out of seven serious crime categories. Murders, rapes, and burglaries each experienced a noteworthy 10% decline. These figures indicate progress toward a safer urban environment.
Governor Hochul’s Response: Smart Investments and Partnerships
Governor Hochul credited the positive trends to smart and strategic investments, along with robust partnerships at the local, state, and federal levels. These collaborative efforts are making a tangible difference in neighborhoods and communities across the state.
Addressing Crime Concerns: Hochul’s Actions
Governor Hochul acknowledged that crime has been a significant concern, creating challenges for her administration in the post-pandemic era.
In response, she took a proactive stance in 2022 and 2023, leading changes to the state’s bail laws through the state Legislature. Notably, a provision was added this year, granting judges more discretion in setting bail across a wider range of cases.
Crime is up 31% in New York City but a bunch of Democrats think Eric Adams is feeding right wing talking points to mention it? This is extremely disturbing. How did our elected officials become so blinded by partisanship to think a serious issue should be ignored? https://t.co/6aQa5f8V0q pic.twitter.com/mkcVLNPToH
— Brendan (@Lawlorbrendans) November 5, 2022
Public Opinion: Crime Remains a Top Issue
Despite the positive trends, crime has consistently been a top issue for New Yorkers, according to several polls conducted during Hochul’s tenure. These ongoing concerns highlight the importance of continued efforts to address and improve public safety.