From June 1 through August 31, New York recorded 195 shooting incidents, 32 fewer than the previous record low of 227 set in 2025. The number of shooting victims fell to 249, 44 fewer than the previous record low of 293 set in 2018.

The city also recorded 66 murders during the summer, 12 fewer than the previous record low of 78 set in 2017.

Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said the historic summer was part of an eight-month period that also produced record-low numbers for shootings, shooting victims and murders.

During the first eight months of 2026, the city recorded 442 shooting incidents, down 9.6% from 489 during the same period last year. Shooting victims declined 11.9% to 538, while murders fell 24.1% to 173.

In August alone, shooting incidents declined 20.8%, from 77 in August 2025 to 61 this year. Shooting victims fell 37.7%, from 122 to 76.

Major Crime Declines in August

Major crime citywide dropped 6.6% in August, with 10,276 reported major crimes compared with 11,000 in August 2025 — a reduction of 724 incidents.

Year to date, major crime declined 6.2%, with 75,945 incidents compared with 80,953 during the same period last year.

Several major crime categories recorded significant declines in August. Murders fell 34.3%, auto theft declined 16.2%, robberies dropped 13.3%, burglaries decreased 9.1%, and grand larceny fell 6.5%.

Felony assault, however, increased 3.1% in August and was up 0.7% year to date.

Bronx Leads Major Crime Declines

The Bronx recorded the largest year-to-date reduction in major crime among New York City's five boroughs, with an 11.9% decline.

Auto theft in the Bronx fell 29.2% year to date, while grand larceny declined 14.6%. In August, major crime in the borough fell 10.5%, accompanied by double-digit declines in several categories.

Historic Lows in Subways

The city's subway system also recorded historically low levels of violent crime in August.

There were zero murders, shooting incidents, shooting victims or rapes reported in the subway system during the month. Transit robberies fell to 27, the lowest August figure on record.

Overall major crime in the subway system declined 8.4% in August compared with the same month last year.

Public Housing Sees Record Lows

New York City's public housing developments also experienced significant declines.

There were zero murders in public housing during August, while shooting incidents fell 65% and shooting victims declined 73.1% compared with August 2025.

Robberies fell 27.5%, while rape incidents declined 53.3%.

Year to date, shooting incidents in public housing were down 40.6%, shooting victims declined 44.4%, murders dropped 52%, and robberies fell 20.2%.

NYPD Credits Violence Reduction Plan

The NYPD attributed part of the progress to its Summer Violence Reduction Plan, launched May 4 to deploy officers during periods and in locations where violence and disorder are most concentrated.

Since the initiative began, major crime in the targeted zones declined 23.2%, shooting incidents fell 33.3%, robberies dropped 30%, and shooting victims declined 27.8%.

The department said its detectives have also conducted 25 gang-related takedowns this year and seized more than 3,630 illegal guns.

“These historic lows all happened while managing an unprecedented series of high-profile events,” Commissioner Tisch said, citing the NBA Finals, World Cup, Sail 250 and New York City's Fourth of July celebration.

Despite the broad declines in violent crime, the NYPD reported that confirmed hate crimes increased 15.8% year to date, from 367 to 425. Confirmed anti-Jewish hate crimes declined 13.6% in August but remained 8% higher year to date.