NYC reports lowest murder and shooting rates in 30 years, according to police data.

In a significant development for public safety, New York City’s shooting and homicide rates have reached record lows in the first five months of 2025, the lowest seen in over 30 years, according to the NYPD. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced these findings during a press conference, noting that May achieved unprecedented safety metrics, with both shootings and homicides at levels not recorded since the inception of the CompStat program in 1994.

For May alone, the city recorded only 54 shootings and 18 homicides, marking a historic low. This decline culminated in the safest Memorial Day weekend on record during the CompStat era, solidifying the city’s trajectory toward reduced violence. For the year to date, the NYPD has investigated 112 murders—a 28% reduction compared to the same period last year, equating to 44 fewer killings. The department also documented 264 shootings, a decline of 70 incidents or roughly 20% from the previous year.

The decline in violent crime has positioned 2025 to be the safest year on record for both shootings and murders, surpassing pre-pandemic statistics. The previous record lows for the first five months were set in 2014 and 2017, with 113 murders in each year, while 2018 saw 267 shootings during the same timeframe.

Mayor Eric Adams highlighted the city’s commitment to eradicating gun violence, asserting that the administration is effectively fulfilling its promises to enhance public safety. Commissioner Tisch attributed the substantial drop in crime rates to the NYPD’s Summer Violence Reduction Plan. Launched on May 5, this initiative targeted 70 high-crime areas across 57 precincts, deploying more than 1,500 uniformed officers during peak violence hours. Notably, within these zones, crime decreased by 28%, and shootings plummeted by 65%. Some traditionally high-crime precincts, such as the 44th Precinct in the Bronx, recorded no shootings in May.

Overall, the city’s total crime rate has fallen by 6% from last year, decreasing from 50,349 felony offenses to 47,258. However, there has been a notable increase in reported rapes, which surged by 27% from 645 incidents last year to 820. This rise has been attributed, in part, to changes in legislation that expanded the legal definition of rape in New York State, encompassing additional forms of sexual assault.

These developments signify a pivotal moment for public safety in New York City, as authorities continue to devise strategies aimed at mitigating violence and improving the overall quality of life for its residents.

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