West Village Crime Takes A Nosedive: Data

WEST VILLAGE, NY — West Village crime numbers are heading south.

According to recent data released by the NYPD, nearly all crime in the neighborhood plummeted in June in comparison to the same month last year.

Overall, major crimes saw a nearly 20 percent reduction in June 2023.

Most notably, robbery fell by over 20 percent, from 23 reported incidents in 2022 to only 18 in 2022. Burglary dropped by an even 64 percent, from a staggering 50 reports in 2022 to only 18 in 2023. And grand larceny — thefts above $1,000 — fell by over 10 percent. Auto thefts, too, went down from eight last year to five this year.

But one major crime was still on the rise in June: felony assault, which is up 40 percent this June (35 reports) compared to last (25).

Additionally, this June saw a murder — a stabbing in Washington Square Park — when the same month last year saw none.

Most minor crimes for June followed a similar trend, except for petit larceny, which saw an 18 percent increase — or 38 more reports — over last year.

The declines in reported crime match up with reported nationwide drops, but overall rates are still above pre-pandemic levels. And higher crime, no matter what statistical time period it is compared to, leaves many on edge across the city.

Compared to two years ago, major crimes in the West Village are up nearly 65 percent. And compared to 13 years ago, crime stats are still higher by over 30 percent.

But in 2022, despite the uptick, the neighborhood still reported 22 percent fewer crimes than 1998 — and over 70 percent less than 1990.