November UES Crime Numbers Lower Than 2022, Barely: Data

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Reported crime in November was still down compared to last year, but only by a pinch.

According to NYPD data released this week, the 19th Precinct only saw a measly 2.5 percent decline in major crime reports last month.

That's a big difference from the 15 percent year-over-year drops in Upper East Side crime numbers seen in October and September — and the two months of double-digit declines over the typically high-crime months of June and July.

While most major felony reports fell over the last 28-day reporting period ending on Dec. 3 — the NYPD does not release data based on the Gregorian calendar — including rape (100 percent), felony assault (31 percent) burglary (20.8 percent) and grand larceny auto (59 percent), some felonies jumped up compared to the same time period last year.

Robberies rose by four reported incidents (28.6 percent), and grand larceny — thefts over $1,000 — rose by 18 incidents (15.4 percent).

Misdemeanor assault also jumped by 15 incidents (71.4 percent) and there were three reported hate crimes in the precinct in November compared to only one last year, according to the data.

But the number had other good news for Upper East Siders: reported transit crimes, which fell 25 percent in October compared to 2022, fell 80 percent in November over the same month last year, and sex crimes also saw a large drop (50 percent).

The overall crime data picture is steadily improving in the 19th Precinct, with the two-year number comparison making a steady improvement.

Major felonies were up in September year-to-date by almost 40 percent compared to two years ago.

In October, that increase fell to 34.7 percent.

And in November, that same comparison fell further, landing at a nearly perfectly round increase 30.01 percent.

While a 30 percent increase in crime from two years ago isn't great, the trend over this year hints that in the larger picture, crime incidents may be generally trending down.

Despite the recent increases since the pandemic, reported crime is still lower on the Upper East Side than compared to 30 years ago year-to-date, when the major felony crime rate was a staggering nearly 80 percent higher.

In 2022, reported crime in the 19th Precinct was down by almost 30 percent compared to 2001 levels, and 46 percent lower than 1998.