Overall Crime Down In August, Decrease In Shootings, Murders: Data

NEW YORK CITY — Overall crime in New York City decreased for the eighth straight month in August, but the city saw a slight uptick in felony assaults, rape and hate crimes incidents.

Overall crime in August 2024 dipped 6.4 percent from 11,618 in August 2023 to 10,869, according to NYPD data.

Rape Incidents in August increased slightly from 116 last year to 126. The murder rate in the city decreased more than 50 percent from 32 incidents last year to 15.

In addition, 74 shooting incidents proved to be a record low for the month of August, according to NYPD data.

The amount of shooting victims went down 1.1 percent in August (94 vs. 95)—the second-lowest monthly figure in New York City’s recorded history—and down 8.5 percent year to date (735 vs. 803), amounting to 68 fewer people shot in the city.

Felony assaults increased from 2488 to 2498 incidents, according to police data.

An increase in hate crime incidents continue to be an issue for police. The Hate Crime Task Force reported 30 more cases in August 2024 with 57 compared to last year with 27 incidents. 17 of which are anti-Muslim, police said.

The subway had 81 fewer serious incidents from the start of this year through the end of August, compared to the same period last year (1,398 vs. 1,479)—a 5.5 percent year-over-year drop that extended overall subway crime reductions to seven cumulative months.

“The steep, continuing declines in shootings and murders in New York City are a testament to the hard work being done each day and night by the dedicated men and women of this police department,” Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban said in a statement. “Whether they are patrol officers walking a beat inside a housing development or seasoned detectives working some of the most complex investigations in the world, NYPD cops understand this basic truth: Fewer guns in the hands of criminals translate to safer neighborhoods and enhanced quality of life for all New Yorkers. So, we will continue to identify and combat emerging crime trends—such as the manufacture of untraceable, homemade ‘ghost guns,’ and armed robberies committed from the backs of motorized scooters—because that is how we will keep New York the safest big city in the nation. I commend every member of the NYPD for their skill in always remaining agile, and for helping our police department adapt to meet every challenge head-on.”