NYC Major Crime Drops 6.7% August Amid Shooting Lows, Murders Rise 33%

New York City experienced a 6.7% drop in major crimes in August 2025 compared to the previous year, marking seven consecutive quarters of declining crime, according to NYPD data. Significant decreases were seen in robberies, burglaries (down nearly 19%), felony assaults, grand larceny, and subway-related crimes, with targeted policing strategies and increased recruitment credited for the improvements. Despite these positive trends, murders rose 33% in August, largely driven by violent incidents in the Bronx and Manhattan, though overall murders remain down nearly 20% year-to-date. Shootings and gunshot victims hit historic lows in the first eight months of 2025, surpassing previous records, even as there was a slight month-to-month increase in shootings. Rapes increased by 24%, partly due to a recent expansion in the legal definition of rape. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch praised the NYPD's efforts in reducing crime, emphasizing a focus on removing illegal guns, arresting violent gang members, and deploying officers to critical areas.