NYPD Announces Citywide Crime Statistics for August 2023

September 15, 2023

Leaving the summer of 2023 with a continuing record of safety and security gains

New York City saw overall crime decline again in August, led by continued sharp reductions in violence, and the tangible effects of proactive policing – including hundreds of individuals in possession of illegal firearms arrested, and dozens of fewer shootings committed. For the month of August 2023, New York City saw a 23.5% drop in shooting incidents compared to August 2022 (88 v. 115). The decrease in shootings extends the 26.1% decrease in shooting incidents citywide through the first eight months of 2023, compared to the same period a year ago (684 v. 926) – meaning 315 fewer people have been shot this year compared to last year. Additionally, homicides fell by 10% (269 v. 298) in comparison to the previous year’s first eight months.

As the summer of 2023 closes, the city is poised to sustain its momentum in driving down crime. August’s shooting declines reflect the continuing effectiveness of the NYPD’s gun-violence reduction strategies, which help allow every New York City neighborhood to thrive. The NYPD is focused on combating gun violence and working with its law enforcement and community partners to carry out that important work. In August 2023, the NYPD continued to make historic numbers of gun arrests: 342 arrests were effected. Overall, NYPD officers have seized 4,611 guns and made 2,916 gun arrests through the first eight months of 2023.

Overall index crime was driven down by 1.5% in August 2023 (11,400 v. 11,574) compared to the same period a year ago. New York City saw a reduction in five of the seven index crime categories in August 2023, including a 3.2% decline in murder, a 23.4% drop in rape (111 v. 145), a 6% reduction in robbery (1,560 v. 1,659), a 15.1% decline in burglary (1,185 v. 1,395), and a 2.8% drop in grand larceny (4,620 v. 4,751). Hate crimes citywide declined 18% (42 v. 51) compared to last year. At the same time, grand larceny auto increased by 24.3% (1,497 v. 1,204), driven by the well-documented exploitation of vulnerabilities in the ignition systems of certain Kia and Hyundai models that make them vulnerable to theft.

 In the subway system in August, major crime decreased 6.6% (170 v. 182), reflecting the NYPD’s ongoing work to improve the overall public-safety landscape in the city’s vital transportation system.

Through the first eight months of 2023, New York City has seen reductions in five of the seven index crime categories, including murder down 9.7% (269 v. 298), rape down 12.8% (963 v. 1104), robbery down 5.9% (10,904 v. 11,592), burglary down 10.8% (9,273 v. 10,393), and grand larceny down 2.3% (33,265 v. 34,058). Since the start of the NYPD’s Summer Violence Reduction Plan, in May, major crime in the involved deployment zones has been driven down by 8.5% compared to last year, and shootings have declined by more than 23.5%, mirroring the continuing decline in shootings citywide.

Due to the success of the Merchants Business Improvement Program in the 103^rd, 114^th, and 109^th Precincts, the NYPD is teaming up with business leaders, prosecutors, and other community stakeholders to help expand the program across all of Queens. Approximately 142 small and large businesses are participating, and the NYPD has issued 83 trespass affidavits. Programs like this will help keep patrons and business owners safe while also continuing to drive down crime.

Members of the NYPD remain steadfast in their work to combat crime, improve quality of life, and earn the confidence of everyone who lives in, works in, and visits the city. In August 2023, NYPD officers made 4,796 arrests in the seven major crime categories, a 19.4% increase compared to the same period last year. In the first eight months of this year, officers made 35,429 such arrests – the most for any eight-month period since 1999.

“The men and women of the NYPD work tirelessly each day and night to advance public safety and quality of life in New York City,” said Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban. “As this summer ends, with our city having made considerable progress in reducing crime and violence, New Yorkers can count on the NYPD’s ongoing vigilance in every neighborhood. We will continue to use our momentum to ensure that New York remains the safest big city in America.”

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

Index Crime Statistics: August 2023

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Additional Statistics For August 2023

Rape Incident Reporting Statistics: August 2023

(Reports filed from August 1 – August 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 August 2023

(Representing August 1^st – August 31^st years indicated)

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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