New York City’s Subway Crime: A Tale of Two Statistics
Despite an overall decrease in subway crime, New Yorkers’ perception of safety remains alarmingly low. While Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch reported a 5.4% year-over-year decrease in subway crime since the implementation of congestion pricing, both she and Mayor Eric Adams acknowledged a significant disconnect between these statistics and public sentiment. Mayor Adams succinctly stated, “Perception always overrides reality,” highlighting the prevailing feeling among citizens that the city is spiraling out of control, a perception at odds with the reported crime statistics.
The decrease in subway crime mirrors a broader trend in the city, with overall crime dropping 2.9% in 2024, encompassing reductions in murders and shootings. Specific crime categories showed significant declines: robbery (down 16.3%), burglary (down 23.5%), and grand larceny (down 3.3%). However, this positive trend is tempered by concerning counterpoints. Subway murders doubled in 2024, rising from five to ten incidents. Petit larceny also increased, showing a 29.8% rise. The increase in felony assaults, according to Commissioner Tisch, is largely attributed to repeat offenders, a situation exacerbated by a rise in decline-to-prosecute cases and a decrease in cases where bail is set.
A comparison to pre-pandemic levels reveals a more nuanced picture. While major subway crime is down 12.7% compared to 2019, felony assaults have increased by a significant 51.6%. Furthermore, homicides in 2024 saw a dramatic 233.3% increase compared to 2019, a year with historically low homicide rates.
In response to public concerns and the complexities of the crime statistics, the NYPD is bolstering its presence on the subway system. Commissioner Tisch announced the deployment of over 200 officers for specialized train patrols, alongside increased platform patrols in the city’s 50 highest-crime stations. Further reinforcing the NYPD’s commitment to public safety, an additional 624 officers will be deployed to city streets starting Tuesday, supplemented by a new class of 1,000 recruits entering the police academy later this month.
Commissioner Tisch acknowledged the validity of New Yorkers’ anxieties, citing visible signs of disorder like unsecured goods in pharmacies and open drug use as contributing factors to the perception of insecurity. She emphasized the need for improvement, stating, “It doesn’t have to be this way. New Yorkers demand and deserve better.” The challenge for the NYPD remains bridging the gap between reported crime statistics and the lived experience of New Yorkers, restoring a sense of safety and security across the city.