Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Sunday, May 16, 1999

Release #175 -99

Contact: Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter (212) 788-2958
Marilyn Mode (212) 374-6700 (NYPD)


FBI RELEASES 1998 NATIONWIDE CRIME STATISTICS NEW YORK CITY 166th IN CRIME OUT OF 217 AMERICAN CITIES

New York City Safest City In Nation Among Cities With Over One Million In Population

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today congratulated Police Commissioner Howard Safir, the men and women of the New York City Police Department and community members for the fifth straight year of remarkable crime reduction. New crime statistics released today by the Federal Bureau of Investigation show that total index crime fell seven percent nationwide in 1998, while New York City's decline was 9.2 percent. The FBI's 1998 Preliminary Annual Report shows that, among 217 American cities with populations over 100,000, New York City ranks 166th in total crime. The City's ranking of 166 tops its ranking of 160 in 1997, 157 in 1996, 140 in 1995 and 114 in 1994.

The FBI's report shows that New York City continues to lead the nation in the fight against crime. Over the last four years, of the 25 largest cities in the country, New York City has experienced the largest sustained crime decrease - 46.2 percent from 1993 to 1998. New York City has dropped to 166 on a list of 217 cities with populations over 100,000. In fact, New York City continues to be safer than cities such as Atlanta (1), Orlando (2), Miami (8), Fort Lauderdale (13), Winston-Salem, North Carolina (25), Minneapolis (32), Dallas (35), Phoenix (42) San Antonio (77), Philadelphia (85), Houston (93), Boston (110), San Francisco (114) and San Diego (160). New York City is also the safest city in the nation among cities with a population of over one million, including Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Diego.

Crime continues to plummet in New York City as of May 9th, with a decrease of 11.83 percent over the same period in 1998 and 54.87 percent since 1993. The FBI's Preliminary report is comprised of crime data from cities with populations of over 100,000 for calendar year 1998, with the number of cities reporting varying slightly from year to year.

The chart below shows the nationwide percentage changes in crime as compared to New York City for calendar year 1998, based on preliminary data by the FBI and the New York City Police Department:

 

1998 FBI CRIME STATISTICS

NATIONWIDE
CRIME
NEW YORK CITY
-8%
Murder and Non-Negligent Manslaughter
-17.8%
-5%
Forcible Rape
- 5.1%
-11%
Robbery
-12.0%
-5%
Aggravated Assault
-3.0%
-7%
VIOLENT CRIME VS. PERSONS
-7.5%
-7%
Burglary
-14.6%
-6%
Larceny Theft
-6.4%
-10%
Motor Vehicle Theft
-15.1%
-7%
CRIMES VS. PROPERTY
-9.8%
-7%
TOTAL CRIME INDEX
-9.2%

 

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