Major Crime Declined 10.6% Citywide and More than 6% in Transit in May
Our Bureau
New York, NY
Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch has announced that the NYPD delivered the fewest murders, shooting incidents, and shooting victims in recorded history for the first five months of the year. Year to date, murders were down 20.9% (102 vs. 129), the lowest level ever recorded for the first five months of any year, beating the previous record of 113, set in 2014 and 2017. Shootings were down 5.7% with 247 total incidents, surpassing the previous record of 262 set in 2025, and shooting victims were down 7.1% with 289 total victims, surpassing the previous low of 309 set in 2019.
The NYPD also broke records for the month of May. In May, there were two fewer shooting incidents compared to the previous record low set in 2025 (51 vs. 53), and seven fewer shooting victims than the previous record also set in 2025 (58 vs. 65).
Overall major crime decreased 10.6% citywide (9,662 vs. 10,809) with 1,147 fewer reported crimes compared to last May. Year to date, major crime was down 6.2% (44,955 vs. 47,929) with reductions in all five boroughs.
The NYPD continued to deliver historic lows in crime in New York City’s public housing with the fewest murders, shooting incidents, shooting victims, and robberies for the first five months of any year in recorded history.
“Across our city, the NYPD is delivering on its mission to keep New Yorkers safe,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “With record lows in murders, shooting incidents, and shooting victims, as well as the safest start to the year in public housing, and continued reductions in subway crime, New Yorkers across every corner of our city are benefitting from a police department that is focused and strategic. These accomplishments are the result of a precision policing approach that follows the data, goes after guns, takes down gangs, and puts our officers where and when they are needed most. In the month of May, crime plunged by 10.6% citywide. As we enter the summer and prepare for an unprecedented number of large-scale events, the men and women of the NYPD will continue to put in the hard work necessary to keep New York City safe.”
Historic Lows in Shootings Citywide
In May, the NYPD continued to deploy its precision policing approach to combat gun violence. Year to date, shootings reached a record low of 247, beating the previous low of 262 in 2025, and shooting victims reached a record low of 289, beating the previous record of 309 set in 2019. In May, shooting incidents reached a record low of 51, beating the previous low of 53 set in 2025, and shooting victims reached a record low of 58, beating the previous low of 65 set in 2025.
For the month, shooting incidents and shooting victims dropped compared to last May with a 3.8% (51 vs. 53) and 10.8% (58 vs. 65) decrease, respectively. Year to date, shooting incidents declined 5.7% (247 vs. 262) and shooting victims declined 7.1% (289 vs. 311). Brooklyn led the city with a 47.6% reduction in shooting incidents (11 vs. 21).
The announcement comes on the heels of the safest Memorial Day weekend in the city’s history with only three shooting incidents and four shooting victims across the four-day stretch, from Friday, May 22 through Monday, May 25, breaking last year’s record when there were seven shooting incidents and seven shooting victims.
The NYPD’s sustained efforts to dismantle violent gangs have also contributed to reductions in shootings citywide and the number of guns taken off the streets. So far this year, NYPD detectives have carried out 20 gang-related takedowns, and the department has seized nearly 2,000 guns.
Driving Down Major Crime
Major crime decreased 10.6% in the month of May, and major crime was down 6.2% citywide for the first five months of the year, with reductions in all five boroughs and nearly 3,000 fewer crimes than the same time last year.
Additionally, across major crime categories:
- Murder declined 20.9% (102 vs. 129) year to date, a record low, and there were reductions in all five boroughs;
- Burglary declined 19.5% (871 vs. 1,082) in May, the second lowest in recorded history, and there were double-digit declines in every borough year to date;
- Robbery declined 18.1% (1,165 vs. 1,423) in May and was down 11% year to date (5,198 vs. 5,838);
- Auto theft declined 13% (1,072 vs. 1,232) in May with Manhattan experiencing a 44.3% reduction. Auto theft was down 9.6% year to date (4,734 vs. 5,237);
- Grand larceny declined 12.4% (3,625 vs. 4,136) in May and 4.6% year to date (17,716 vs. 18,576).
Felony assaults increased slightly by 0.4% (2,734 vs. 2,722) in May. Over the past several years, there has been an increase in felony assaults, and the main drivers of those increases are domestic incidents (54% increase since 2020), assaults on police officers (103% increase since 2020), and assaults on other government workers (200% increase since 2020).
