There has been considerable talk lately that crime in New York City is on the rise, whether it has been in the form of political rhetoric during the presidential campaign, or conversations among the public. People discuss the fact that trains seem to be more frequently delayed, getting around the city has been harder since Mayor Bloomberg left office, and the once-purported increase in homeless people is both factual and well documented. People have a tendency to conflate issues, and they therefore question whether crime is also becoming more prevalent. But is this really the case?
A map which compares the numbers of the seven major felony crimes in New York committed in 2016 (extrapolated data as of December 4, 2016) to crime statistics from 2013 reveals a mixed picture. Crime in these categories – murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, grand larceny, and grand larceny of motor vehicle – is down across Brooklyn, Queens, and much of Manhattan. But it is in fact up in some parts of southern Manhattan, and in a number of precincts across the Bronx.
With regard specifically to the Upper West Side (excluding Central Park), precinct 20 has seen an overall decline in the seven major felonies, while precinct 24 (north of 86th Street) has seen an uptick. Delving deeper into precinct 24’s statistics, however, reveals that like with precinct 20, there has been a reduction in felony crimes against persons: murder, rape, robbery, and assault. The increase is entirely attributable to crimes against property. Statistics for Central Park are mixed, but reflect only a tiny contribution to overall crime on the Upper West Side.
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