NEW YORK: New York City recorded its lowest murder rate in history during the first four months of 2026, police said Monday.
Jessica S. Tisch said the city also saw a 9.5% drop in overall crime. April alone recorded 19 murders, setting a new monthly low.
Police reported 957 fewer major crimes in April compared to last year. Shooting incidents and victims both fell by nearly 20%. Public housing developments also logged their safest start to a year on record.
Precision Policing Drives Decline
Tisch credited the department’s “precision policing” strategy for the decline. Officers focused on illegal firearms, gang networks, and targeted deployments.
Detectives carried out 10 gang takedowns and seized about 1,600 firearms this year. Officials say these actions disrupted organized violence across several boroughs.
Major crimes declined across nearly all categories in April. Burglaries fell by 21.5%, while auto theft dropped by 20.2%. Robberies decreased by 13.8%, and retail theft declined by 17.7%.
Borough Trends Show Sharp Gains
The Bronx recorded the largest drop, with major crime falling by 15.5%. The borough also logged its lowest number of April murders on record.
Police dismantled a large auto theft ring there, recovering 252 stolen vehicles. Meanwhile, Staten Island reported zero murders so far in 2026.
However, reported rape cases rose by 10.1% across the city. Officials linked the increase to the expanded legal definition under the “Rape is Rape Act.”
Youth Crime Falls, Summer Plan Begins
Youth violence dropped sharply following the rollout of Youth Violence Safety Zones. Crime in these areas declined by 52.4% during active hours.
Shooting incidents involving young people fell by more than 64% in designated zones. Officials say targeted interventions helped stabilize high-risk corridors.
Confirmed hate crimes decreased by 35.1% compared to last April. The NYPD verified 50 incidents out of 65 reported cases.
The New York Police Department launched its Summer Violence Reduction Plan on Monday. The initiative marks the largest seasonal deployment in its history.
Up to 3,800 officers will patrol 72 zones each night. Officials aim to sustain the downward trend as warmer months typically bring higher crime risks.