AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today November 9, 2026
NYC Crime Reaches Historic Lows in 2026
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has reported that New York City recorded the fewest shooting incidents and murders in its history during the first 10 months of 2026. These findings, released on November 9, 2026, highlight a significant decline in violent crime, attributed to the department's ongoing data-driven strategies.
Major Crime Rates Drop Across the City
According to the NYPD, there were 536 shooting incidents year to date, surpassing the previous record low of 598 set in 2025. The city also recorded 230 murders, beating the prior low of 244 established in 2017. Overall, major crime was down 6.5% during this period, representing the largest year-to-date reduction in major crime in 17 years. October alone saw an 8.6% decline in major crimes compared to the same month last year.
Borough-Level Trends: The Bronx Leads the Decline
Among the five boroughs, the Bronx experienced the largest year-to-date reduction in major crime, with an 11.3% decrease. The report also noted historic lows in public housing, with only 78 shooting incidents, 87 shooting victims, and 18 murders recorded in the first 10 months. Robberies in public housing also fell to 584—another record low for that period. Major crime in public housing declined by 17.4% in October and 7.4% year to date.
Category Breakdown: Burglaries, Robberies, and Thefts Fall
Burglary cases dropped 23.1% in October and 14.2% year to date. Robbery rates also fell by 15.5% for the month and 12.3% for the year, while auto theft was down slightly by 0.2% in October and 11.2% year to date. Grand larceny declined by 11.3% in October and 6.1% for the administrative year. Retail theft continued its downward trend as well, dropping 10.9% during October and 12.2% year to date.
Increases in Transit Crime, Rape Reports, and Hate Crimes
Despite these improvements, the NYPD noted some increases in other areas. Transit crime continued to rise, with major crime in subway systems increasing by 2.2% year to date and 12.7% in October. The department attributed the increases in felony assaults and nonviolent grand larcenies as primary drivers. Although 2026 remains the second-safest year for the transit system in 15 years (excepting pandemic years), these upticks present ongoing challenges.
Rape reports rose by 1.8% year to date despite an 11.2% decline in October, partially attributed to legislative changes that expanded the legal definition of rape under the state's Rape is Rape Act. Felony assaults increased 0.9% year to date and 3.1% in October, with assaults on police officers and other public service workers contributing to the rise. Year to date, such assaults were up 7.6%.
Hate crimes were also up, with confirmed incidents rising 15.2% from 460 to 530 year to date. More than half of these confirmed cases were anti-Jewish hate crimes. In October alone, there were 45 confirmed hate crimes and 52 incidents reported as potential hate crimes, with anti-Jewish cases comprising 57.8% of the confirmed total.
Commissioner Credits Data-Driven Approach
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch credited the department's “data-driven strategy” for the drops in violent crime, emphasizing the identification of violence drivers, gun removal, and efforts against gangs. She stated, “Those extraordinary results are only possible because the members of the NYPD continue to execute on our data-driven strategy with skill and precision.”
Conclusion: Challenges Remain Amid Progress
The NYPD's data for the first ten months of 2026 points to historic achievements in crime reduction across New York City, particularly in shootings, murders, and major crimes. Nonetheless, increases in transit crime, hate crimes, felony assaults, and certain violent incidents highlight areas requiring ongoing attention and continued policy focus.
Related coverage
Source: ny1.com.
