NEWYORK: The New York Police Department (NYPD) has recorded the lowest number of murders, shooting incidents, and shooting victims for the first five months of a year since records began, according to crime statistics released on Wednesday.
The department reported 102 murders between January and May 2026, a 20.9% decline from 129 during the same period last year. Shooting incidents fell 5.7% to 247, while the number of shooting victims dropped 7.1% to 289, both setting new record lows.
Crime also declined significantly in May. Overall major crime decreased 10.6% citywide, with 9,662 reported incidents compared with 10,809 in May 2025. Year-to-date major crime was down 6.2%, reflecting reductions across all five boroughs.
The city set new monthly records for gun violence reduction, recording just 51 shooting incidents and 58 shooting victims in May — the lowest figures ever reported for the month. Brooklyn led the city in reducing shootings, posting a 47.6% decline compared with the previous year.
Several major crime categories recorded notable decreases in May. Robbery fell 18.1%, burglary declined 19.5%, auto theft dropped 13%, and grand larceny decreased 12.4%. Felony assaults, however, increased slightly by 0.4%.
Public housing developments experienced some of the strongest improvements. Murders in public housing dropped 46.7% year-to-date, while shooting incidents fell 24.5% and robberies declined 24.3%. Overall major crime in public housing was down 8.7% for the year and 11.6% in May.
The city’s subway system also saw continued progress. Major crime in transit declined 6.5% in May, and there were no shooting incidents or shooting victims reported in the subway system during the month.
Despite the overall crime reductions, the NYPD reported an increase in confirmed hate crimes. The department recorded 68 confirmed hate crime incidents in May, up 74.4% from the same month last year. More than 60% of those incidents were classified as anti-Jewish. Year-to-date confirmed hate crimes rose 8.6% compared with 2025.
Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch attributed the improvements to the department’s data-driven policing strategy, anti-gang operations, and targeted deployment of officers in high-crime areas. The NYPD said it has conducted 20 gang-related takedowns and seized nearly 2,000 illegal firearms so far this year.
