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New York City has reported a record low in shooting incidents for the first nine months of 2025, according to the NYPD. The city saw a 20% decrease in shootings compared to the same period last year, with only 553 incidents reported, marking the lowest level since the start of the CompStat era in 1994. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch attributed this success to precision policing and data-driven deployment of officers to high-crime areas.
The reduction in shootings is part of a broader decline in crime across the city. Overall crime has decreased for the second consecutive year, with significant reductions in robberies, burglaries, and murders. The NYPD's Summer Violence Reduction Plan, which involved deploying up to 2,300 officers in 72 zones, played a crucial role in these declines. Mayor Eric Adams praised the efforts, stating that New York City remains the safest large city in America.
Despite the positive trend, a concerning rise in the age of shooting victims has been noted. NYPD Chief of Crime Control Strategies Michael LePetri reported that 25% of recent shooting victims were under 18, highlighting ongoing challenges. The NYPD has also recorded an increase in reported rapes, attributed to a broader legal definition of the crime.
The city's subway system has also seen improvements, with crime rates at their lowest for a third quarter, excluding pandemic years. The NYPD continues to focus on precision policing and targeting violent gangs to maintain and further these gains. According to the NYPD, these efforts have resulted in the seizure of over 4,175 illegal guns this year alone.
As reported by ABC News, President Donald Trump has called for military intervention in cities with high crime rates, but New York City's data-driven approach appears to be yielding positive results without such measures.
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