NYPD Announces Citywide Crime Statistics for March 2020

April 2, 2020

For the month of March 2020, major index crime in New York City saw an overall 4.2% decrease when compared to the same period in 2019, with the steepest declines realized amid the citywide Coronavirus protections of the last two weeks. Between March 12 and March 31, overall crime fell in every borough and within the transit system and across public housing. In that two-week period, there was a 25% decrease in the number of murders (12 v. 16); a 10% decrease in robberies (551 v. 612); and a 37% decrease in grand larcenies (1,334 v. 2,115).

The shift from the time the city declared a state of emergency is clear: From March 1 through March 11, overall index crime increased by 27.8% (2,934 v. 2,296) when compared to the same period a year ago. From March 12 through March 31, overall index crime decreased by 19.9% (3,740 v. 4,670) when compared to the same period in 2019.

Amid all the hard work police officers are doing to protect and educate New Yorkers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the NYPD is continuing to leverage multiple crime-fighting strategies to combat the victimization of New Yorkers. The department has redeployed resources in real time to areas seeing an uptick in crime in addition to increasing police presence as needed. Our investigators and officers are doubling down in their work to gather timely intelligence, analyze crime trends and disseminate timely preventive measures.

"In times of crisis, the men and women of the NYPD rise up and give their all for those they serve," said NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea. "This is our proud history - whether on Sept. 11 and its aftermath, during Hurricane Sandy or through debilitating city blackouts - and this is how we are again responding in the face of this unprecedented public health emergency. We stand strong, on the front lines, to ensure a common good for all and to continue to relentlessly drive down crime, deliver justice for every crime victim and maintain a sense of safety we believe all New Yorkers deserve."

Focus on Domestic Violence victims during this time of physical distancing: NYPD's team of committed domestic violence officers are working vigorously to take reports and check in on New Yorkers in all five boroughs amid this ongoing Coronavirus crisis. These skilled officers are conducting phones calls, to supplant face-to-face visits, sharing safety plans and cell phone access with them and carefully setting code words for them to use as they survive in close quarters. Our officers are continually following up with domestic violence assault victims as well as in cases where children are at risk and where there are elderly victims. The NYPD remains committed to working with all of the NYPD's government partners to ensure that no one feels disconnected or vulnerable during this period of emergency physical isolation.

NYPD is carrying out moment-by-moment analyses of Hate Crimes: At no time is hate and discrimination of any kind ever tolerated in New York City, but amid its ongoing Coronavirus response, the NYPD is reinforcing the importance of reporting all hate crimes and bias incidents. The NYPD is monitoring and responding to reported hate crimes and bias incidents resulting from fear and stigma related to COVID-19. Our message is clear: If you are the victim of a hate crime, or witness what you believe to be a hate crime, please call 911 immediately. Language assistance is available. No questions about immigration status are asked. Recent Coronavirus-related incidents fall under the anti-other category as there are two motivating factors behind these crimes: The victim's race (anti-Asian) and the perception that they have the Coronavirus (anti-disability). Since the outbreak, the Hate Crime Task Force has investigated 11 cases where all the victims were Asian and targeted due to discrimination based on the Coronavirus pandemic. To date, investigators have apprehended the wanted subjects in seven of these cases.

Key highlights from this month's crime statistics:

• Murder is down 10.7% (67 v. 75) for the First Quarter of 2020 when compared to the first three months of 2019.
• Year-to-date, through March 31, domestic violence crime is down 0.6% (2,809 v. 2,826); and is down 15.3% (902 v. 1,065) for the entire month of March; and is down 23.8% (539 v. 707) over the two weeks from March 12 through March 31, compared to the same period last year.
• Arrests in domestic violence crimes are down 15.6% (3,104 v. 3,678) for the 28-day period ending March 29.
• There were 56 shooting incidents in March 2019, compared to 56 shooting incidents in March 2020.
• New York City is experiencing a 12.4% increase in overall crimes for the First Quarter of 2020 (22,949 v. 20,410).
• For the month of March, rape decreased by 37.3% (99 v. 158). Rape continues to be underreported. If you have been a victim of sexual assault, please come forward. The NYPD Special Victims Division's 24-hour hotline is 212-267-RAPE (7273).
• Year-to-date, through March 29, citywide hate crimes are down 20.0% (90 v. 112).

Statistics on Index Crimes

First Two Weeks of March 2020: March 1 through March 11

Last Two Weeks of March 2020: March 12 through March 31

Additional Statistics For March 2020

March Rape Breakdowns

Hate Crimes Statistics Summary from January 1, 2020 – March 29, 2020

These statistics represent the time period between January 1, 2020 – March 29, 2020 for the respective years of 2019 and 2020.

Note: All crime statistics are preliminary and subject to further analysis, revisions, or change.

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