FBI Releases 2009 New York City Crime Statistics

Over the past year, New York City has seen another drop in crime. Violent crime decreased 4.2 percent and property crime declined 5.3 percent when compared with data from 2008. The violent crime category includes murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The number of property crime offenses in the United States—which includes burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft—each decreased in 2009 when compared to 2008 data. Arson is also a property crime, but data for arson are not included in property crime totals. More than 13,200 law enforcement agencies contribute to the FBI’s national crime report.

Violent Crime

• In New York City, violent crime decreased overall by 4.2 percent in the past year. Murder declined by nearly 10 percent, robbery by 16.1 percent, and forcible rape declined by 6.5 percent. Aggravated assault increased by 6.5 percent.
• Since 2006 violent crime in the city of New York decreased 11percent. In 2009 there was one violent crime for every 181 persons, an impressive improvement from one violent crime for every 157 persons in 2006.

Property Crime

• Property crime dropped by 5.3 percent overall in New York City in the last year. Motor vehicle theft dropped 14 percent, larceny fell by 4.4 percent, and burglary by 5.5 percent.
• Since 2006, motor vehicle theft has decreased a staggering 33 percent.

“The continued decrease in crime rates demonstrates the FBI’s commitment, along with our state and local law enforcement partners, to protect and defend the American people and the citizens of New York. Although crime rates have decreased, now is not the time to rest or take these hard earned improvements for granted. We must continue to aggressively investigate criminal activity, keeping this great city of New York safe,” said Assistant Director in Charge Janice K. Fedarcyk.