NYPD Announces Citywide Crime Statistics for May 2023

June 5, 2023

Shootings, Murders, Robberies, and Burglaries driven down across New York City

For the month of May 2023, New York City saw a 26.5% drop in shooting incidents compared to May 2022 (86 v. 117). The decrease in shootings extends the 25.8% decrease in shooting incidents citywide through the first five months of 2023 compared to the same period a year ago (379 v. 511) – meaning 154 fewer people have been shot this year compared to last year. Additionally, homicides fell by 33.3% (32 v. 48) for the month of May 2023. 

The NYPD continues working to foster an environment that allows every community in New York City to flourish. A prime focus is combating gun violence and leveraging partnerships to assist in that important work. In May 2023, the department continued to make historic numbers of gun arrests – 349 arrests resulting in 284 firearms seized for the month. Overall, NYPD officers have seized 2,802 guns from the streets of New York City and made 1,802 gun arrests through the first five months of 2023. 

Overall index crime stayed flat in May 2023 compared to the same period a year ago, increasing by 0.1% (10,610 v. 10,603).  Index crimes were driven mainly by grand larceny auto (+32.5%; 1,369 v. 1,033). At the same time, New York City saw a drop in five of the seven index crime categories in May 2023, including a 33.3% reduction in homicide, an 11.1% decline in robbery (1,351 v. 1,520) and an 11.8% decline in burglary (1,127 v. 1,278). 

In the city’s subway system, robberies decreased by 30.9% (38 v. 55) in May, as major crime in transit fell 13.1% (193 v. 222) for the month. This extends the 8.7% (893 v. 978) decrease in major crime in transit through the first five months of 2023 – a development which reflects the increased confidence in the subway system’s improving public-safety picture. New York City’s subways, like its streets, are becoming increasingly crowded – continuing the ongoing vibrancy of the city in a post-pandemic environment. 

As in May, this month’s decline in burglaries included decreases in the burglaries of both residences and commercial establishments. And retail theft – otherwise known as shoplifting – also continued its decline in May 2023 by 6.4% (5,175 v.5,530), as the NYPD maintained its focus on ensuring public safety in the city’s bustling commercial corridors and business districts. 

Through the first five months of 2023, New York City has seen reductions in five of the seven index crime categories, including murder down 14.1% (158 v. 184), rape down 7.3% (619 v. 668), robbery down 3.9% (6,357 v. 6,615), burglary down 7.7% (5,834 v. 6,319), and grand larceny down 0.6% (19,993 v. 20,121). The women and men of the NYPD remain steadfast in their ongoing efforts to drive down crime, improve the quality of life in New York City, and earn the confidence of those who live in, work in, and visit the city. 

In May 2023, NYPD officers made 4,599 arrests in the seven major crime categories, a 13.7% increase compared to the number of such arrests in the same period last year – and the highest number of arrests in the seven major crime categories for any May in a quarter century. In the first five months of this year, officers have made 21,406 such arrests – a 24-year high.  

“The women and men of the NYPD start each day with a clear mission: to work for and with the people of this city in our shared investment in public safety,” said Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. “Over the past seventeen months, I have seen their tireless work and their critical contributions to the vibrancy returning to our sidewalks and subways, stores and restaurants, and business districts. Our work remains unfinished, but we will never waver in our public safety mission to deliver safe streets and enhance strong bonds between the police and the people we serve.” 

*All crime statistics are preliminary and subject to further analysis, revision, or change.*

Index Crime Statistics: May 2023

Additional Statistics For May 2023

Rape Incident Reporting Statistics: May 2023

(Reports filed from May 1 – May 31 in years indicated)

Rape continues to be underreported. If you are a victim of sexual assault, please come forward. The 24-hour NYPD Special Victims Division hotline is: 212-267-RAPE (7273).

Hate Crimes Statistics Summary for May 2023

(Representing May 1^st – May 31^st for calendar years 2023 and 2022)

Note: Statistics above are subject to change upon investigation, as active possible bias cases may be reclassified to non-bias cases and removed from counted data.

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